Andrew Hastie attacks Basil Zempilas' approach ahead of Secret Harbour by-election

Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie intensified his criticism of state opposition leader Basil Zempilas' strategy for the Secret Harbour by-election, arguing the approach amounts to waving a white flag similar to the Liberals' 2021 defeat. Hastie said intelligence from Labor and the Liberals indicated One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen was ahead, and urged both major parties to better address outer-metropolitan voter concerns.

He dismissed Zempilas' narrative that a One Nation victory would be a Liberal win, recalling former Liberal leader Zak Kirkup's pre-2021 warning about signaling weakness. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking on 102.5 one outlet Perth, accused the Liberals of "running dead" and suggested they have effectively merged with One Nation. Zempilas denied the allegations, calling the claims "ridiculous" and rejecting suggestions he was softening his campaign to avoid offending One Nation backer Gina Rinehart. The dispute highlights internal tensions within the WA Liberal ranks ahead of the Saturday vote.