2026 Secret Harbour state by-election

Electorate profile

Secret Harbour is located in the southern suburbs of Perth and is a replacement for the former seat of Warnbro. Differing from its predecessor, Secret Harbour crosses the boundary of metropolitan Perth by taking in parts of Mandurah. The electorate takes in the suburbs of Golden Bay, Karnup, Lakelands, Madora Bay, Port Kennedy, Secret Harbour, Singleton and Warnbro, and takes in part of the local government area of the City of Rockingham.^[5][6]

Secret Harbour was first contested at the 2025 state election with a notional margin for the Labor Party of 31.3%. Papalia, the MP for the outgoing electorate of Warnbro was elected as Secret Harbour's inaugural member following the election, with an 11.5% two-party-preferred margin.^[7]

Former member

On 6 July 2026, Papalia announced his resignation from his ministerial portfolios and as an MP, thereby triggering the by-election.^[8] Papalia was first elected as the member for Peel in the 2007 by-election, held the seat when it was changed to Warnbro and finally Secret Harbour.^[7]

Landsdale MP Daniel Pastorelli was awarded a spot in Cabinet, in place of Papalia.^[9]

Electoral system

As with all elections in Western Australia, full preferential voting will be used where casting a ballot is compulsory. In the full preferential system used, a candidate must receive an absolute majority, over 50% of the votes. A voter needs to mark all of the boxes listed on their ballot paper.^[10]

Key dates

On 14 July, the writ was issued by Stephen Price as Speaker of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. Dates relevant to the by-election are listed below.^[11][12]

• Postal vote applications open on 7 July at 6 pm
• Nomination of candidates closes at midday on 21 July
• Close of electoral rolls at 6 pm on 21 July
• Postal votes will begin being sent to voters on 28 July
• Mobile polling will begin on 16 August
• Early voting begins on 17 August at 8 am
• Postal vote applications close on 26 August at 6 pm
• Polling day will be on 29 August from 8 am until 6 pm
• The last day for receipt of postal votes is 3 September at 9 am
• Last day for return of the writ is 10 October

Previous result

Labor

On 9 July 2026, the Western Australian Labor Party announced that Georgia Tree, a former advisor for federal resources minister Madeleine King, will be their candidate. Tree has also worked with gas company Woodside. Premier Roger Cook said that the by-election will be "tough for Labor".^[9]

Liberal

Western Australian Liberal Party leader Basil Zempilas formally decided to field a candidate on 9 July.^[8] Their candidate is Ryan Robertson, a councillor for the City of Rockingham.^[16]

Greens

The Western Australian Greens expressed an interest in fielding a candidate for the by-election, with their leader Brad Pettitt criticising Papalia's management of the prison system and said that the state needed a minister focused on "reinvestment, rehabilitation and diversion" rather than "increasing police powers".^[17] The Greens ultimately preselected Rhi Davies for the by-election.^[16]

One Nation

Western Australian One Nation announced their candidate would be Luke Herdegen, a gym owner.^[18] WA One Nation leader Rod Caddies said that One Nation are the "favourites" to gain the seats of Kwinana and Secret Harbour.^[17]

Nationals

The Western Australian National Party have indicated an intention to field more candidates in metropolitan seats but leader Shane Love stressed that "The decision on which seats the Nationals WA contest is ultimately one for our state council".^[17] They decided not to field a candidate, and instead to endorse the WA Liberals.^[16]