Labor's Josh Wilson narrowly wins federal seat of Fremantle from independent Kate HulettBy Nicolas PerpitchTopic:Elections1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 6:59amJosh Wilson has been re-elected in the federal seat of Fremantle, narrowly defeating independent Kate Hulett. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)In short:Josh Wilson narrowly defeated independent Kate Hulett in Fremantle, turning what was a safe Labor electorate into a marginal one after strong preference flows almost unseated himThe new seat of Bullwinkel is too close to call, with Labor's Trish Cook narrowly ahead of Liberal Matt Moran as vote counting continues.Former WA Premier Colin Barnett has renewed calls for a Liberal-Nationals merger, citing the split vote in Bullwinkel as evidence of wasted resources and voter confusion.abc.net.au/news/labor-josh-wilson-wins-fremantle-federal-election-2025/105263164Link copiedShareShare articleSitting MP Josh Wilson has narrowly defeated independent Kate Hulett to claim the seat of Fremantle, bringing Labor's tally of federal seats in WA to 10, according to the ABC's Antony Green.The Liberals have four, teal independent Kate Chaney has won Curtin, and the new seat of Bullwinkel remains too close to call.Mr Wilson won almost 40 per cent of the primary vote compared to just over 23 per cent for Ms Hulett, but Liberal and Greens preferences put her within striking distance of toppling him.However, Mr Wilson's lead over Ms Hulett has steadily grown in the Australian Electoral Commission's two party preferred count of the 44 polling places in the electorate.Ms Hulett did better in polling places close to the centre of Fremantle, but Mr Wilson has tended to draw more preferences in outer suburbs.From safe Labor to marginal Fremantle was previously a safe Labor seat, held by Mr Wilson with a margin of 16.9 per cent after the 2022 election.It has been held by Labor for much of its history, including by wartime Prime Minister John Curtin and former Premier Carmen Lawrence.Kate Hulett and Josh Wilson endured a nervous few days of counting to decide a winner in their electorate of Fremantle. (ABC News: Nic Perpitch)But Ms Hulett has turned the heartland ALP territory into a marginal seat, campaigning on stopping approval of the extension of Woodside's North West Shelf project and against the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with the United States.It is a repeat of her performance at the recent March state election, where she came close to toppling state minister Simone McGurk.Bullwinkel still on knife-edgeMeanwhile, Bullwinkel remains on a knife-edge, with Labor's Trish Cook ahead by 178 votes on Wednesday afternoon.Votes being counted on Tuesday for the 2025 federal election at the AEC's official processing centre in Bibra Lake. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)The seat straddles outer suburban Hills areas of Perth as well as Wheatbelt farms from Beverley to Toodyay, and the lead has been alternating between Labor's Trish Cook and Liberal hopeful Matt Moran.It had originally been a three-way tussle between Cook, Moran and former WA Nationals leader Mia Davies.But Davies conceded defeat on Saturday night, with her preferences favouring Moran.Liberals should merge: BarnettFormer Liberal premier Colin Barnett has pointed to the campaign in Bullwinkel as an example of the issues facing his party.Mr Barnett governed in an alliance with the WA Nationals from 2008 until 2017.He wants the two parties to officially merge, as they have done in Queensland, to make them more competitive and avoid wasting resources.Former Premier Colin Barnett wants the Liberal and National parties to merge in WA. (ABC News: Ruby Littler)Mr Barnett argued in the past the two parties had major policy differences but that has largely disappeared.In Bullwinkel, Mr Barnett said two "outstanding" Liberal and Nationals candidates, in Matt Moran and Mia Davies respectfully, were facing off against each other and splitting the centre-right vote."That's a waste of resources, that's unnecessary competition and it's confusing. I don't think young voters understand why or care," he said."I think it is well and truly the time for the Liberal and National parties to merge, initially at the state Western Australia level."It comes as WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas committed to doing "whatever it takes" to increase the party's female members, not ruling out 50:50 quotas for candidate preselection at the next state election.Election fallout and analysis:Liberal Party's Tim Wilson reclaims Goldstein, while Labor MPs retain Franklin and WillsANALYSIS: The Coalition and Clive Palmer didn't win their own election culture warAge, income and housing cleave a divide in how Australians voteWant even more? Here's where you can find all our 2025 federal election coverageCatch the latest interviews and in-depth coverage on ABC iview and ABC ListenLoadingPosted 1h ago1 hours agoWed 7 May 2025 at 6:59am, updated 13m ago13 minutes agoWed 7 May 2025 at 8:19amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesGreens leaderless as Adam Bandt projected to lose in MelbourneTopic:Australian GreensPhoto shows Bandt sits with his hand on his chin.Wilson takes parting shot at Daniel in a teary victory speechTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A man in a grey jacket and white collared shirt smiles in front of a crowd dressed in blue shirts that say "Tim Wilson".Peter Dutton lands in Canberra as Coalition MPs divide on nuclear policyLIVEPhoto shows Peter Dutton walks through an airport with microphones and cameras surrounding him.Multiple fatalities after retaliatory strikes between India and Pakistan, officials sayLIVEPhoto shows A police officer and rescue workers stand near the wreckage of a building hit in a suspected missile attack.Doctor gave blunt warning to Erin Patterson over mushroom poisoning risk, court hearsTopic:CourtsPhoto shows A sketch of Erin Patterson wearing a blue jumper and thin framed black glasses with her hair tied back. 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