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As we wait for the final declaration of the Secret Harbour By-election, I have been thinking about what the results truly meant for WA. Yes, by-elections are unique, but we definitely witnessed an important shift.

Labor’s primary vote fell from 46.6 per cent at the 2025 State election to around 24.4 per cent.

Before reflecting on what this result means, I want to thank our excellent candidate, Bob Burdett, and every volunteer and supporter who gave so much to this campaign.

Bob stepped forward to represent life, faith, family and freedom, while our volunteers generously gave their time, energy and prayers to carry that message across the electorate.

No other party will defend and champion these foundational values as clearly and boldly as Australian Christians. That takes courage, and I am enormously grateful to every one of you.

I also congratulate Luke Herdegen and the One Nation WA team on their victory. As always, I look forward to continuing to work constructively with Rod Caddies MLC and the One Nation WA team.

Lessons from the Secret Harbour By-election

Now, much of the commentary has focused on growing dissatisfaction with the major parties and the scale of the backlash against Labor.

That is certainly part of the story.

But there is a bigger lesson — the traditional two party machine may be losing its grip. In the past, even an unpopular government would have expected to retain a seat like Secret Harbour. Labor had the resources, campaign experience, volunteers and donor base to withstand an embarrassing swing.

This time, it wasn’t enough.

Labor threw everything at this by-election. Its campaign reportedly cost around $400,000, surpassing the previous by-election spending record of $250,000 set in Rockingham in 2023. The Government also made significant local funding announcements during the campaign.

Yet despite all that money, manpower and attention, Labor failed to secure even 25 per cent of the primary vote.

These shifts are more than just by-election volatility.

Voters are rethinking how and why they vote.

People are looking more closely at the candidates, weighing the issues and asking whether those seeking their vote genuinely reflect their priorities.

That creates a real opportunity for Australian Christians — but it also shows why our voice matters. It showed that even the safest seats can change hands when people feel the parties no longer represents them or their best interests.

No party owns an electorate, and no government is entitled to anyone’s vote.

Why Your Vote Matters

I love that Australian Christians has never been a party that turns up for an election and disappears. We are here between elections too — meeting people, serving communities, doing the work and now speaking up in Parliament when others won’t.

For those who care about protecting life, strengthening families, preserving religious freedom and defending our Christian heritage, your vote is never wasted.

Every first preference vote strengthens your voice in parliament and enables us to do this important work!

For me, this result is another reminder that Australian Christians has been on the right track all along.

We keep going. We stay focused, diligent, consistent and prayerful.

Our values do not change depending on the latest poll or political trend — and neither does our mission.

I genuinely believe we will see more Australian Christians representatives elected to the WA Parliament and, one day, to Federal Parliament as well.

The major party machines are still powerful, but they are not unbeatable.

People are looking for something more genuine – conviction, consistency and representatives who will still be there doing the work long after election day.

That is who Australian Christians has always been.

I am proud of the message we carried, grateful for every conversation and genuinely encouraged about what lies ahead!

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Republished with thanks to Australian Christians.