Peter Kennedy

Being seen to be tough on crime was an assured vote winner in the past, but recent setbacks to the government’s stop and search powers have shifted the debate.

The piecemeal wage and salary fixing mechanism for public sector workers is a political issue that won’t go away, as inaction by both sides of politics demonstrates.

Post-election indications that Julia Gillard is prepared to look at population needs on a state-by-state basis are good news for WA, where skilled workers are needed.

Colin Barnett has a job on his hands to balance public expectations with the realities of a growing economy, particularly with regard to household prices.

Despite major hikes to household expenses, Colin Barnett’s first two years as premier of WA have put the government in a secure position.

The once-cosy relationship between the state and federal political leaders requires a delicate balancing act in the wake of a new Labor government.

The WA ministers in Julia Gillard’s new government will have their hands full juggling the competing interests of their state and federal responsibilities.

As the premier prepares for the 2013 state election, he needs to strike a delicate balance to avoid ongoing hostilities surrounding James Price Point and state spending.

Not that anyone needed reminding, but the federal election clearly showed the divide between east and west is as wide as ever.

The rise of the Greens nationally and the resurgence of the Nationals in WA has thrown down the gauntlet to the major parties.

The proposed mining tax was never going to be a winner in WA, and Liberal Party coffers are evidence of that, with the local branch kicking-in $1 million for the federal campaign.

Colin Barnett played a star role at the Liberals’ federal campaign launch last weekend, but some of Tony Abbott’s plans may concern the WA premier.

While Colin Barnett is pleased with federal Labor’s $480 million commitment to the Perth Gateway Project, he remains opposed to the tax that will be levied to provide the funds.

Through the campaign so far and during the debate, neither Tony Abbott nor Julia Gillard is showing the type of leadership required to inspire voters at the upcoming poll.

It may have only 15 seats in a 150-seat federal parliament, but WA could still play a determining role in the August election.

WHEN Julia Gillard flew into Perth for the first time as prime minister last week, she had two key objectives.

Colin Barnett may like to accentuate the positive, but he got a grilling at a recent business forum when the topic turned to retail trading reform.