WA: Polls open in WA, first election of busy year

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2001
WA: Polls open in WA, first election of busy year

PERTH, Feb 10 AAP - Polling booths opened around Western Australia today in the first
of a series of elections across the country this year.

The coalition under Premier Richard Court is bidding for a third term in office, while
Labor headed by Geoff Gallop wants to shake off the legacy of WA Inc to regain power after
eight years.

The WA poll, which looks certain to be decided on preferences, is expected to be the
closest electoral race in years, and a final result may not emerge until next week.

Both leaders made their final pleas for votes this morning.

Mr Court said the coalition would deliver jobs growth and a strong economy. Dr Gallop
said Labor would fix the public hospital system and save old-growth forests from logging.

As booths opened around the state, a Newspoll in today's edition of The Australian
newspaper showed the coalition at 50.5 per cent and Labor at 49.5 per cent on a two-party
preferred basis.

The WA result will be closely watched, most immediately by party number crunchers in
Queensland, which goes to the polls next Saturday following a rorts scandal engulfing
that state's ALP.

Other elections to follow are the Northern Territory, the ACT and a federal ballot,
tipped to be held as early as October.

South Australia may also go to an early election this year.

AAP sd/cdh/wjf

KEYWORD: POLLWA OPEN

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