WA election 2025: Labor MLA Rebecca Stephens concedes historic defeat, ending party’s 24-year run in Albany

Labor incumbent Rebecca Stephens has conceded defeat, ending Labor’s 24-year run in the Albany district. But with a tight race between the Nationals and Liberals, voters will have to wait to learn the final result.

In a statement on Monday, Ms Stephens said that while the results had not yet officially been declared, “it is clear that WA Labor will not be able to retain Albany”.

Reflecting on the “positive” campaign for a “strong and progressive voice” in Albany, Ms Stephens said she “couldn’t be prouder” while calling her time in State Parliament “the greatest privilege of my life”.

“I’m so grateful for every conversation, every story, and every issue and problem that my office was happy to help our community resolve,” she said.

“The next member for Albany needs to ensure they represent everyone equally and ensure every voice is heard.

“Albany is my home and I’ll never stop fighting for what’s right and what needs to be done.

“Thank you, Albany, it’s been an honour and a privilege.”

Ms Stephens said she was particularly proud of her party’s $60 million promise to upgrade Albany Health Campus, which she said made them the only party to commit to delivering an expansion to the hospital, with the Liberals promising $5m to develop a business case.

As at 9.30am on Monday, Ms Stephens had 30 per cent of the 26,909 primary votes with Nationals candidate Scott Leary and Liberals candidate Thomas Brough following behind with 22 per cent.

The result was a 21-point swing against the first-term MLA who came into power in 2021 as the region’s first female representative with 64 per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote and 51 per cent of first preference votes.

Speaking to the Advertiser on Monday, Mr Leary congratulated Ms Stephens for her tenure, which he described as “a great accolade for her being the first female member for Albany”, but said he was surprised that Labor had made the call so early.

“There’s a lot of voters who haven’t followed how-to-vote cards so the distribution of preferences could be going anywhere at the moment,” he said.

“There will be a few across a lot of candidates so we really have no read on what the distribution is going to be.”

The Nationals candidate said the preferences for independent candidate Mario Lionetti, who has secured 1915 first preferences, “will be key” to deciding the victor.

A spokesperson for the WA Electoral Commission said the results could only be declared once the full distribution of preferences count had concluded, which is expected to occur from March 19 onwards and finish by March 28.

The full distribution of preferences count cannot begin until all absentee and postal votes have been received.

As at 10am on Monday, the WAEC had not yet reported any absent votes, which totalled 770 in 2021, and the number of postal votes was 1001, significantly lower than the 2999 in the last election, which coincided with COVID-19 restrictions.

The Albany seat, held by the Government on an 11 per cent margin, had been in Labor hands since 2001, with former MP Peter Watson winning five terms.

A redraw of Albany’s electoral boundaries in 2023, however, cut some of Labor’s buffer by adding an extra 3840 electors from the Shire of Plantagenet, where support for the Nationals is strong.

Insiders feared Labor’s chances were further harmed by the Federal ban on live sheep exports, making it harder for the former councillor to seek another run.

Half a dozen ministers were deployed to shore up Labor’s vote with Premier Roger Cook making four visits and the party making a litany of big promises, including $60 million to build a modular ward at Albany Health Campus and $50m to upgrade nearly 12km of South Coast Highway.

The potential dark horse in this campaign, Mr Leary was the presumptive preselection winner for the Liberals when a shock upset saw Dr Brough take the spot instead.

The well-respected businessman offered a moderate alternative for conservatives as the Liberals faced their own challenges, with candidate Thomas Brough making headlines for controversial comments about the LGBTQIA+ community, abortion and gun control.