Zak kirkup wa election concession premier mark mcgowan defeat loss twitter 20210225 p5y409.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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WA opposition leader concedes defeat weeks before election day

Nick Pearson
Nick Pearson

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Western Australia's Opposition Leader has conceded defeat, three weeks before election day.

Zak Kirkup made the sober admission in a series of tweets earlier today.

It comes as polling shows Premier Mark McGowan is set for a landslide victory.

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Zak Kirkup has admitted he won't win the next election.

Zak Kirkup has admitted he won't win the next election. Peter de Kruijff

"As I get around the state, many West Aussies are telling me Mark McGowan's job is safe," Mr Kirkup said.

"We have to acknowledge that, because I don't want to treat people like mugs.

"I'm not going to stop fighting, but I'm not going to pretend and make this election about something it's not."

A Newspoll released last week showed Mr McGowan's Labor Party ahead of the Liberals by a 68-32 margin.

If the election is close to that number, the Liberals would effectively be wiped out from Parliament.

Premier Mark McGowan.

Premier Mark McGowan. Getty

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The losses would probably include Mr Kirkup himself, who holds his seat south of Perth by a less than one percent margin.

Mr Kirkup, 34, argued there needed to be Liberals in Parliament to fight for their local communities.

"Who represents you locally matters and only the Libs will stand up to make sure they fight for your community," he said.

"We also have to make sure there are as many Liberals elected as possible so that we can hold Labor to account with strong checks and balances.

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"The future of our democracy is at stake."

Election day is set for March 13.

Mr McGowan's popularity stems in large part from the success of the state in responding to the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent recession.

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