analysisHow independent Kate Hulett has been a game changer in the electorate of FremantleBy Nicolas PerpitchTopic:Elections3h ago3 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:16pmKate Hulett pushed Josh Wilson all the way for the seat of Fremantle. (ABC News: Nic Perpitch)abc.net.au/news/fremantle-independent-kate-hulett-strong-showing-lasting-change/105268282Link copiedShareShare articleSitting MP Josh Wilson's narrow win in the federal seat of Fremantle has shown that, like the Liberals, Labor can be vulnerable to well-organised and well-funded independent candidates.In a repeat of her performance at the recent state election, Kate Hulett has turned an ALP heartland into a marginal seat."Fremantle will never be safe again," Ms Hulett said after conceding the election to Mr Wilson."This is, you know, a reflection on the status [quo] and the status quo isn't good enough for us anymore."But whether this is a permanent shift in Fremantle's political sands remains to be seen.Kate Hulett performed well in the state and federal electorates of Fremantle. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)Reflecting on a campaign that almost got over the line, Ms Hulett said people were fed up with major party politics."What I guess has struck me the most is how disengaged people have been and actually how easy it is to engage people and bring them in and get them excited," she said.'A new mix'Speaking from Canberra ahead of the new government's first caucus meeting, Mr Wilson put it down to the Liberals' poor performance creating a gap for Ms Hulett."The Liberal vote in Western Australia is very, very weak and at this election an independent has taken a significant amount of primary off the Liberals, and to some degree off the Greens, and that's created a new mix," he said.Josh Wilson says the recent results in Fremantle have created a "new mix" in the electorate. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)And Fremantle has form, to a degree, previously electing Greens MP Adele Carles at the state level."Kate Hulett ran a campaign which overlapped with a lot of Green policies and it's important to remember Fremantle is the only seat in Western Australia at the state level that's ever gone Green," Notre Dame University's Professor Martin Drum said.Labor's Josh Wilson wins Fremantle after nail-biting race with independentPhoto shows A mid-shot of a smiling Josh Wilson with his arms folded, looking to his right and wearing a blue jumper.The ABC's election expert Antony Green calls the seat of Fremantle for Labor incumbent Josh Wilson, after a tight battle with independent Kate Hulett.Ms Hulett performed above expectations in the eyes of pundits like Professor Drum, attracting 23 per cent of the primary vote and winning all the polling booths in the inner Fremantle area, to the north of the electorate.In those areas, which more or less match the state seat, voters experienced almost 12 weeks of continuous campaigning by the Hulett team since the March state election.One campaign almost blended into the other.At polling booths like Beaconsfield, South Fremantle and White Gum Valley her primary vote was higher than his.Crucially, though, Mr Wilson's overall primary vote remained strong, only dropping 4.7 per cent to just under 40 per cent. It was by no means an abandonment of the sitting member.That's despite all political parties apart from One Nation preferencing Ms Hulett over Mr Wilson.Federal politics live updates: Get the latest on the post-election election landscapeLive results: Find out what's happening in your seat as counting continuesThe booth-by-booth polling numbers show that a lot of voters must not have followed that recommendation, with the Labor MP winning most of the booths outside of the Fremantle area and ultimately getting over the line.'Wake up call' for Labor?Some Liberals may have struggled with Ms Hulett's opposition to Woodside's North West Shelf extension and opposition to the AUKUS nuclear deal, and could not bring themselves to preference her."There were people who put their first preference somewhere else, either for the Greens or Liberals, but they nevertheless chose not to follow what the party 'how-to-votes' directed, and instead supported me, and I'm grateful for that," Mr Wilson said.It was a close call for Mr Wilson, and Professor Drum believes it will lead to lasting change.Martin Drum believes the strong independent showing in Fremantle will push the government to do more on progressive issues. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)"What we saw, which is really interesting this time around, is that teal independents can perform OK in Labor held seats, not just in Liberal held seats," he said."Governments will be pushed to do more on certain progressive issues in the seat if they want to avoid a similar challenge next time."Ms Hulett hoped it would be a "wake up call" for Labor."I really hope that they respond to it in a way that is productive and not reductive," she said."It's more like, 'Alright, what can we do to better serve our community?'"But she's keen to keep the momentum going regardless."I think we can help … inspire people to do it themselves … or for communities to seek a candidate in their area. I think we could really spread this," she said.Mr Wilson grew his margin in Fremantle from just over 7 per cent in 2016 to make it a very safe seat on a margin of 16.9 per cent after the 2022 election.He said he had never taken the role of Fremantle MP for granted and would keep listening and responding to its community."It was a tense few days and I'm glad and grateful and humbled that the people in the Fremantle electorate, East Fremantle, Freo and Cockburn have again given me that responsibility," he said.Election fallout and analysis:How Peter Dutton's campaign flew off a cliffWhat happened to the Greens vote in Victoria?ANALYSIS: The Coalition is split on nuclear after election lossWant 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 ListenHe remarked that every election was different and the issues evolved."My focus now is responding to the trust that I've been given by continuing to work as hard as I can, putting everything that I've got into the job that I think is the most meaningful job I can imagine having," he said.Loading...Having trouble seeing this form? Try this link.LoadingPosted 3h ago3 hours agoThu 8 May 2025 at 9:16pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesAmerican Robert Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVLIVEPhoto shows A man in religious robes looks down from a balconyPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipPhoto shows Federal shadow minister for Indigenous Australians Jacinta Price standing and speaking outside a voting centre.An energy giant 'drained' this householder's batteryTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows Man wearing baseball cap and khaki green t-shirt standing next to household Tesla batteryFirst Trump tariff deal boosts US shares but ASX set for flat startLIVEPhoto shows Keir Starmer and Donald Trump shake hands and make eye contact Meeting with hate preacher triggers court order for notorious terror leaderTopic:ExtremismPhoto shows image of convicted terrorist Abdul BenbrikaRelated storiesLabor's Josh Wilson wins Fremantle after nail-biting race with independentTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A mid-shot of a smiling Josh Wilson with his arms folded, looking to his right and wearing a blue jumper.Labor claims victory in Fremantle, as independent says race not overTopic:State and Territory GovernmentPhoto shows A blonde woman in glasses wearing a red jumperRelated topicsALPAustralian Federal ElectionsElectionsFremantleLiberal Party of AustraliaPerthTop StoriesAmerican Robert Prevost elected pope and will be known as Pope Leo XIVTopic:Religious LeadersPhoto shows A man in religious robes looks down from a balconyPrice defection slammed as hostile Liberal takeover with Angus TaylorTopic:Political LeadershipAn energy giant 'drained' this householder's batteryTopic:Energy IndustryFirst Trump tariff deal boosts US shares but ASX set for flat startTopic:Stock MarketMeeting with hate preacher triggers court order for notorious terror leaderTopic:ExtremismJust InAustralia's political conclave theatrics feel blokey, but the future is femaleAAnalysis by Annabel Crabb11m ago11 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 12:19amShould Netflix's Adolescence be a teaching tool in schools?Topic:Parenting Teenagers19m ago19 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 12:12amRenting labelled the Pilbara's 'Achilles heel' with no clear solutionTopic:Rental Housing36m ago36 minutes agoThu 8 May 2025 at 11:55pmIn 10 minutes, Pope Leo XIV told us a lot about himself, and his agendaTopic:Religious Leaders21m ago21 minutes agoFri 9 May 2025 at 12:10amMore Just InBack to top