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THE POLL BLUDGER Western Australian Legislative Assembly Election 2008

Fremantle covers the coastal strip immediately south of Fremantle Harbour and the FREMANTLE Swan River, from Fremantle and East Fremantle south through Beaconsfield and South Labor 14.2% Fremantle to Spearwood (along with Rottnest Island), and has existed as an Upper house region: South Metropolitan electorate since the establishment of self-government in 1890. The redistribution has Federal division: Fremantle stripped it of 3500 voters east of Hamilton Road and south of Ocean Road (in Hamilton Hill, Spearwood and Coogee), shaving 0.4 per cent from the Labor margin. The seat is as much a jewel in Labor's crown as its federal namesake, having stayed with the party since 1924. Jim McGinty has been the member since a May 1990 by- election brought on by the resignation of David Parker, who had been deposed as JIM McGINTY Deputy Premier the previous January due to his association with the WA Inc debacle Labor (top left) (and would eventually be imprisoned over misuse of party funds). McGinty held the seat against a 7.6 per cent swing, which coming at a time when the Liberals were TO BE ANNOUNCED threatening to force an election by blocking supply was reckoned to be fairly mild. Liberal A former secretary of the Miscellaneous Workers Union, McGinty held portfolios including housing and environment in the Lawrence government and served as Opposition Leader from October 1994 to October 1996, following 's move to Canberra and the short reign of Ian Taylor. McGinty continued to dominate the Left faction after being deposed as leader in favour of , becoming Attorney-General after the 2001 election and further acquiring the health portfolio in June 2003. He was among those angling to replace Geoff Gallop following his surprise resignation in January 2006, although there was speculation he was merely acting to strengthen his faction’s bargaining position amid post-Gallop horse-trading. It was further said that he planned to retire at the coming election, but he insisted this was not so when pressed by The West Australian in February 2008.

http://www.pollbludger.com/wa2008/fremantle.htm 15/08/2008 The Poll Bludger - Australian State and Federal Elections Page 2 of 2

http://www.pollbludger.com/wa2008/fremantle.htm 15/08/2008