Jessica Page: Labor keen to make public transport a focus of 2025 State poll

Ellenbrook is finally getting the train that was on-again, off-again for so many years and now Labor is hoping to ride the election express all the way to a third term.

It was all aboard on Monday, with Labor’s new candidate for Swan Hills Michelle Maynard part of the show for the TV cameras while retiring current MP Jessica Shaw was squeezed out of the picture, relegated to spectator status.

“Yes, it is always about the election,” Premier Roger Cook said.

It was a clear sign his Government is turning the official opening of Metronet’s priority project on December 8 into a victory party, even before the Opposition’s policy pitch has left the station.

Former premier Mark McGowan will be on the invite list for the community event.

Colin Barnett will miss out, but Cook didn’t miss when he took aim.

“The Liberals promised it in 2008, they promised it in 2013 and then took everyone living along this line for chumps,” he said on Monday, standing on the platform at the nearly-finished Morley train station.

Rubbing salt into the wound.

“I think this is a great time for everyone to just remember who it is that delivers great public transport projects”.

And hoping the mud sticks to the next generation of Liberals.

“They’re obsessed with me,” Basil Zempilas observed.

The Perth Lord Mayor, never one to shirk attention, adopted the Labor Party’s latest attack ad for his own social media post, declaring via a Kylie classic: “I can’t get you out of my head”.

His name isn’t printed on the ballot paper yet and Libby Mettam wasn’t in Parliament the first time Barnett axed the Ellenbrook rapid bus, but they are the clear targets of Labor’s campaign new campaign, accusing the Liberals of plotting to take voters for a ride — again — and “scrap the cap” that limits train fares to $4.16.

The claim commuters would be charged an extra $696 per year to travel between Ellenbrook and Perth is based on some dubious maths.

The fine print acknowledges it is “adjusted for CPI” baking in years of high inflation.

Deputy Liberal leader Steve Martin called it a “flat out lie” from a Government aiming to scare voters being crunched by the cost of living.

The problem is that lie currently fills the Liberal party’s policy vacuum and could gain traction if the Opposition does not hurry up and reveal its alternative plan.

Martin said Labor does not deserve a “pat on the back” for a $1.6 billion Metronet project that is more than $500 million over budget and two years overdue.

Maybe. But what he called “a Labor lie” is fuelled by consistent questions from the Opposition benches about increasing subsidies required to operate Perth’s public transport network.

It is $1.2 billion this financial year.

No plans to reduce it? “Absolutely not.” Plans to increase it, perhaps?

“Our policies will roll out as we get closer to the election,” Martin said.

150 days to go. Will the real Opposition please stand up?

So long as there is little policy to debate, the void is filled by personality and, like him or not, the biggest personality in State politics right now is the mayor-turned-Liberal candidate for Churchlands.

That is why Labor is keen to elevate his profile alongside Mettam, in a bid to tie their political fates together until they turn on each other.

It was pure coincidence his press conference announcing City of Perth plans for NYE fireworks was booked for the same time as Mettam’s to talk health on Sunday.

Zempilas is not officially part of the Opposition front bench.

But in February, Mettam flagged the idea of assigning candidates shadow portfolios to boost a teeny tiny and overwhelmed shadow cabinet.

She could call their bluff and do it now, whether the WA Nationals like sharing the spotlight or not.

Campaign posters featuring Liberal candidates Sandra Brewer and Bronwyn Waugh are already dotted throughout Cottesloe and South Perth.

Give them something to talk about so the public can test their mettle.

Put Basil Zempilas up against Rita Saffioti and let them go head-to-head on transport.

Decide once and for all whether former Clan chief Nick Goiran is in the tent or out and let voters be the judge.

Keep your friends close and enemies closer? Or at least close enough to put a leash on them when you want attention for your own Sunday press conference.