This by-election, brought about by the untimely death of Don Randall, was always going to be an incredibly difficult fight for Labor.

 

Labor congratulates Matt Keogh and his team on running an excellent, positive campaign, which reflected the issues that matter to his local community. His campaign has helped bring down a first-term Prime Minister.

 

Because of Labor’s campaign a safe Liberal seat has become a marginal one and the Liberal Party - led by Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop - cut down their Prime Minister.

 

The Liberal Party sacrificed Australia’s Prime Minister to hold the seat of Canning.
Unfortunately for voters in Canning, the Liberals have made this by-election all about their own jobs, and not about jobs in Canning and across WA.

 

Voters in Canning have sent Malcolm Turnbull a clear message: the Liberals changing leaders changed little. This evening's result is a strong rejection of the Abbott/Turnbull Government’s cuts and broken promises.

 

This result is a strong endorsement of Labor's commitment to Australian jobs and our concerns about details of the China Free Trade Agreement.

 

It is clear that thousands of Western Australians have voted Labor for the first time. Matt Keogh has a bright future and still has much to give to his community and to the Labor Party.

 

Labor also congratulates Andrew Hastie on becoming the new Member for Canning.

 

And we once again pay tribute to Don Randall and his family, for whom this evening must have a sad significance.

 

SATURDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2015

 

MEDIA CONTACT: LEADER’S OFFICE MEDIA UNIT 02 6277 4053