Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles has boldly declared 2025 as the most significant year in the Australian Labor Party's electoral history, surpassing even the legendary wins of 1972, 1983, and 2007.
A Historic Declaration in Fremantle
Addressing the party faithful at the ALP state conference held at Fremantle's Esplanade Hotel, the Deputy PM left no doubt about his assessment of this year's twin election triumphs. He urged attendees to vividly recall the emotions of the two election nights, framing 2025 as the pinnacle of Labor's political achievements.
Marles highlighted the scale of Roger Cook's state victory in Western Australia, noting it was not merely a third-term win but "the largest third term victory of any government in the state's history." He further emphasised that it ranked as the second-largest Labor victory ever recorded in WA.
Federal Domination and AUKUS Focus
The accolades extended to the federal arena, where Marles described Labor's capture of 94 seats in the House of Representatives as an unprecedented event. He characterised it as "the biggest defeat of the conservative movement in Australia's history," a result he claimed even eclipsed John Curtin's 1943 achievement.
However, the Defence Minister swiftly tempered the celebration with a note of caution. He warned the gathering that these historic wins were "no license for hubris" and provided no guarantee of future success, strongly advising against complacency.
WA's Central Role in National Defence
Marles, who has become a frequent visitor to the west, detailed how Western Australia is poised to become a global epicentre for defence strategy under the AUKUS pact. Pending final approval from US President Donald Trump, the agreement will see Australia purchase up to five nuclear submarines from the US after 2030.
The Federal Government has committed a massive $20 billion to upgrade the Henderson shipping yards and HMAS Stirling, where the submarines will be stationed and maintained. American and British submarines are expected to begin rotating through HMAS Stirling within approximately two years.
This investment is set to transform the local economy, with Marles predicting 4,000 people will be directly employed at the Henderson Defence Precinct and a total of 10,000 defence sector jobs created across WA. He described this as "the biggest diversification of the Western Australian economy that we have seen in decades."
