Rebecca Stephens takes the reins from Peter Watson on emotional night as Albany gets first female MP

Albany has its first female MP with born-and-raised local Rebecca Stephens replacing retiring Labor stalwart Peter Watson. Both were in tears at Centennial Stadium last night after the seat was called for Labor, just over a year after “Watto” announced his retirement. Mr Watson, a former Olympian who has held the seat since 2001, was a key figure in the campaign. “It’s pretty exciting, pretty surreal,” Ms Stephens said. “After all of the hard work that we’ve put in as a team, I’m really excited to get it across the line and keep Labor in for Albany, following in the footsteps of Peter Watson. “I think for Peter, he supported me this whole journey and really chose me to replace him so I think he knows the seat’s now in safe hands with me and I suppose he can slip off into retirement and be comfortable knowing that I can take the reins and follow through with all the work that he’s done. “It’s a changing of the guard. I really think it is an opportunity for new energy, to bring some females along for the journey with me but also to find some new opportunities for Albany.” Ms Stephens, 38, said becoming Albany’s first female MP was a “historic moment” for the city that she would “cherish”. The City of Albany councillor was joined by her two children Maggie and Fergus and her partner Darcy last night in a hug among a sea of red Labor volunteers. It was a night of unparalleled success for WA Labor, with the party on track to secure a staggering 53 of 59 Lower House seats in a landslide victory. At 11pm last night, Ms Stephens was ahead of Liberal candidate Scott Leary by 63.7 to 36.3 per cent on a two-party preferred basis. She said she was not expecting to win by such a big margin. “Obviously riding on the tail of Mark McGowan and the Labor Government and what they have done through COVID-19 has obviously helped but...I have done the hard work and I believe I am the right person to lead Albany for the next four years,” she said. Ms Stephens said the best piece of advice she had received from her predecessor was to simply listen. “I think the reason Peter has been so successful is it doesn’t matter how small or big those issues are, he really cares and follows through,” she said. “He is there for the vulnerable people that really need a member to represent them. “For the people that have voted, thank you and I hope that you will be with me for the journey for the next four years. I hope I do you proud. “I know I will be your strong voice in the Mark McGowan Labor team which is looking huge, but know that I will represent you for Albany and make sure we can get the most that we can out of this seat.” Speaking to a crowd of supporters after the win, between jokes about a well-earned campervan holidays, an emotional Mr Watson praised Ms Stephens for her persistence. “I have never been so proud of the Labor Party as I have tonight,” Mr Watson said. “All my friends have been re-elected, all new people have been elected and I am just so proud. “But I am not as proud as I am of Rebecca. None of it would have happened if Bec hadn’t put the work in. “I am so proud to hand over the baton to the new member for Albany, the first women member for Albany, Rebecca Stephens.”