Tagliaferri has lost his Job!

Ripper under pressure after Greens win in Fremantle

Eric Ripper's future as the State's Opposition Leader has been called into question after the Greens claimed victory in the Fremantle by-election last night.

The Greens made history last night when they wrestled the traditional working class seat from Labor for the first time since 1924.

Greens candidate Adele Carles has officially claimed victory over Labor candidate Peter Tagliaferri, describing the win as “a wake-up call to the two big parties”.

But the win has thrust Mr Ripper's leadership of the State Labor Party into the spotlight and placed pressure on the party to consider alternatives.

Alannah MacTiernan has been widely tipped as a successor to Mr Ripper, but she is also believed to be considering a tilt at Federal politics by contesting the seat of Canning held by the Liberal Party's Don Randall.

WA Premier Colin Barnett said today it was not a good day for the WA Labor party.

“That is an historic victory after decades of being in Labor's hands,” he said.

“Yes it does change the dynamics of State Parliament, for the first time the Greens have a member in the Lower House.

“It's not a good day for Labor.

“There's no positive spin the Labor party or Eric Ripper can put on this, they have lost probably their prime Labor seat, the seat of Fremantle.

Mr Barnett said dyed-in-the-wool Labor voters had not supported Mr Tagliaferri.

“I think many Labor true-blue, if you like, long-term Labor supporters did not support Peter Tagliaferri as their candidate - that was one of the problems,” he said.

“When you have a division within a party whether it's Labor or Liberal then that usually leads to disaster and it did yesterday for the Labor party.”
Last night a jubilant Ms Carles described the victory as sweet.

Ms Carles said the result was “beyond her wildest dreams” and she was honoured to be the first Greens MP to ever be elected to a Lower House of State Parliament.

She said the fact that the Greens would now claim official party status, which entitled them to more resources and staff, held national significance.

Respected political analyst Harry Phillips called the result earlier tonight, saying Opposition Leader Eric Ripper had “hardly put a foot wrong” as leader but his leadership would “inevitably” be questioned due to Labor’s defeat.

Ms Carles addressed about 100 supporters earlier tonight.

“I am really overwhelmed, I do talk a lot but I am speechless,” Ms Carles said.
Mr Tagliaferri is still refusing to concede defeat, saying a Labor victory was still mathematically possible considering 2000 postal and early votes were yet to be counted..
When counting ended last night, Ms Carles had 7950 votes ahead of Mr Tagliaferri's 6926 votes.

Ms Carles led on the two party preferred votes 9687 (54.01 per cent) to Mr Tagliaferri's 8248 (45.99 per cent).

Opposition Leader Eric Ripper yesterday conceded Labor faced an uphill battle to keep its strong-hold on the seat of Fremantle.

The West Australian News
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