opinion
Jessica Page: Report card shows which of our politicians are flunking and those who are flourishing

As the State’s high school graduates celebrate or commiserate their ATAR results, WA’s politicians head into the holiday season wondering whether voters have them on the naughty or nice list. There’s not even a lump of coal for those who miss the grade on March 8. But while we’re waiting for the election that is their final exam, and for Santa, here’s my report card for 2024. Roger Cook – B+ Steady as she goes. Premier Roger Cook has grown into the role and started showing off his own personality, even engaging in some impromptu karaoke as he steps out of Mark McGowan’s long shadow. With $1 billion worth of freebies already under the tree, and a surplus to spare in his election sack, the dad from Kwinana is WA’s version of Father Christmas. Sans beard. The election test is whether voters believe WA’s wealth is being evenly shared. With a projected $2.6 billion surplus in 2024-25, WA can afford to spread the joy and sell our wares to the world. Events including Coldplay, wrestling and soccer apparently injected $105 million into the economy. But the surplus and luxury spending also means voters won’t swallow any excuse if basic necessities — health, shelter, food — are rendered unaffordable. WA can afford to do both, but rapid population growth is outpacing Perth’s infrastructure. It can’t be that bad if everyone wants to live here? Rita Saffioti – A The sight of the first train pulling into Ellenbrook station was a huge win for Labor and the child of Calabria who became dux of Kelmscott High. Budget blowout? Doesn’t matter. The Treasurer, Transport and Tourism Minister has successfully juggled more balls than a clown, but it might be time to put one down. A brawler inside Parliament and a straight talker outside, Ms Saffioti manages to be both professional and relatable. But with fewer Metronet ribbons left to cut, she’ll need to find something else to do in 2025. Amber-Jade Sanderson – D The Health Minister is a polished performer inside Parliament, one of the Government’s hardest workers and a potential future leader. She nearly was the leader. And she is willing to make tough, albeit unpopular, decisions if she — rightly or wrongly — believes it necessary, such as the relocation of the planned new women’s and babies hospital. But I cannot give WA’s failing health system a pass mark. Despite extra funding, child health wait lists are getting worse not better. And though the Government can claim the tide had turned on ambulance ramping, it depends on the month you look at. In October 2024, ambulances spend 6416 hours parked outside EDs — the worst October on record. Health is a poisoned chalice that can make or break potential leaders, but Roger Cook proved it is not the be all and end all. Amber-Jade Sanderson needs to break out of it. Education or transport perhaps? Libby Mettam – B- On the precipice of an F a month ago, the Liberal leader finally showed some fight to stare down the “cowards in the shadows” and come out of a leadership scare stronger. She has consistently managed to land blows on the Government’s management of health, but still needs to articulate a plan to fix the system and still has her doubters within her own party room — even if they didn’t have the guts to put their hands up. Basil Zempilas – B- No coward, the Perth Lord Mayor was none the less caught out by association and forced to defend his own ambitions in the wake of the failed Liberal coup. Love him of loathe him, his willingness to engage in a fight (on behalf of ratepayers, of course!) over an East Perth car park, the cost of a WACA pool and the relocation of a women’s shelter has ensured Basil Zempilas was the most — ahem — interesting, and perhaps divisive, character in State politics in 2024. Getting noticed is half the battle. Reece Whitby – C Mr Whitby is stuck treading a fine line between industry and environment but managed to (mostly) keep the hornets’ nest of climate change in a mining State out of the headlines. Points for EPA reforms, but the climate Bill did not pass. That becomes the test for 2025. John Carey – B- After three and a half years “pulling every lever” there are finally some teeny tiny green shoots in the Perth housing market. A rental vacancy rate of 1.7 per cent in November is still tight, but a sign of improvement. A politician of conviction and willing to do the hard yards, most of the homelessness advocates — who should arguably be his biggest detractors — like and respect his efforts. That says a lot. Paul Papalia - B+ The Police Minister got the most legislative runs on the board this year, with gun reforms and laws to protect retail workers his major achievements. AUKUS will pay dividends in the future and the Minister for Defence Issues has been central to securing WA’s role. The problems within corrective services have not been fully resolved, with another teen’s death, ongoing staff shortages and a replacement for Unit 18 too far off. But he mostly managed to silence the criticism. Tony Buti - C Tony Buti rebounded from the disaster of cultural heritage laws to start important reforms to better include disability and diversity in schools. School cost-of-living allowances were an obvious vote winner, though the roll-out was not perfect. The Education Minister now has his sights set on becoming attorney-general, but he has competition. Stephen Dawson - B Likely to become the Government’s lead negotiator in the Legislative Council next year, he is a steady hand and worthy of a tougher job. My pick for health minister. Sabine Winton - D Thrown in the deep end of a domestic violence epidemic. The Government’s insistence time is necessary to get coercive control laws “right” will only last so long. Legislation must be introduced in 2025. Room for improvement. Shane Love – D Shane Love held down the fort, but barely made any waves. Opposition leader is a thankless task and one he should have relinquished to the Liberal party, for the sake of a proper election contest. The Nationals’ foray into metropolitan seats is one he believes necessary for the country party to survive Labor’s Upper House reforms. Time will tell. Names to watch - B David Michael, Hannah Beazley — time to step up. Labor backbench – C The discipline of a backbench this size holding their collective nerve is worthy of mention. I’d like to see a few more raise their heads above the parapet as WA heads into election mode. If they want to keep their seats, they need to fight for the right. Katrina Stratton, Mark Folkard and Dave Kelly deserve praise for their forensic but compassionate questioning at an inquiry into institutional child abuse. If only the Attorney-General had time to properly respond to their report. Labor retirees - B John Quigley ran out of time, but the amount of legislation he packed into his seven years as Attorney-General was admirable. His passion never ran out. Sue Ellery was in a no-win situation with Nicheliving, but got important rental reforms done. David Templeman ends his political career on a high note as Sports Minister. Michelle Roberts dedicated three decades to political service and has left WA a better place. Politics can be a thankless calling. Voters will deliver their scores in March, but for now here’s wishing all MPs a Merry Christmas and a happy election year.

opinion
Jessica Page: Report card shows which of our politicians are flunking and those who are flourishing

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opinionJessica Page: Report card shows which of our politicians are flunking and those who are flourishing

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opinion
Jessica Page: Report card shows which of our politicians are flunking and those who are flourishing