Lacklustre debate in Western Australia between Mark McGowan and Zak Kirkup

Mark McGowan and Zak Kirkup have fought out a lacklustre debate that was overshadowed by the Opposition Leader’s earlier concession of the election.

WA Premier Mark McGowan and Liberal leader Zak Kirkup at last night's debate.

West Australian Premier Mark McGowan and Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup fought out a lacklustre debate on Thursday night that was overshadowed by Mr Kirkup’s earlier concession of the election.

Mr Kirkup, who has already declared that Mr McGowan will win the March 13 poll, seemed the most at ease in a debate with few highlights and fewer revelations.

Both leaders stuck resolutely to their well-worn talking points. Mr McGowan continued to maintain that only his government could keep WA safe and strong and repeated his description of the Liberals as risky and inexperienced, while Mr Kirkup continued to stress what he said were the dangers posed by a Labor government that had total control of both houses of parliament.

Much of the debate focused on COVID-19 and the state’s border closure policy – two matters where there is no real difference between the two parties.

The focus of Labor’s campaign on the wildly popular Mr McGowan, rather than policy, was reinforced when the Premier nominated his government’s plan to manufacture iron ore rail cars as his signature promise for this election.

Mr Kirkup also took aim at the Premier for reading from his notes when delivering his concluding remarks to the debate.

“Unlike the Premier, I don’t need notes to tell you exactly what I’m fighting for,” Mr Kirkup said.

“I’m fighting for the future of our state, together with our local Liberals, to make sure that if Mr McGowan is returned as premier, as most West Australians think he will be, then we are doing everything we can to hold Labor to account.”

Mr Kirkup, meanwhile, was grilled over his decision to concede some 16 days before the election. Moderator Geof Parry asked the Liberal leader why he didn’t at least “lose with dignity”.

WA Opposition Leader Zak Kirkup. Picture: Colin Murty

“I think it’s dignified to talk about the future of our state and what our democracy means if Labor gets too much control,” Mr Kirkup said.

“I think it’s dignified to talk honestly to the people of Western Australia who are telling us out there that they expect that Mark McGowan will be the next premier.”

Mr McGowan said the spectre of COVID-19 made this “the most important state election in living memory”.

“We’ve achieved a lot over the last four years. But the times ahead will not be easy,” he said.

“Now more than ever we need to stay the course.”