By Stephen Robson
PERTH — Ian who? Ian Taylor was the parliamentary leader of the WA ALP until his resignation on October 9. Following Carmen Lawrence's move to federal parliament in March, Taylor had been elected unopposed.
After the Court government victory at the February 1993 state election, a common perception in Labor circles was to expect Labor's return at the next election.
Now, 18 months down the track, this looks increasingly unlikely. The Morgan poll taken over June-July has Labor on 37%, the same level of support it received in the February 6, 1993, state election.
Labor lost the Helena by-election in September. The norm in by-elections is a swing against the government of the day.
The WA Inc years are still having their fallout. Former deputy premier David Parker has recently been jailed for theft and former premier Brian Burke preceded him by a matter of months after being convicted of fraud. Parker and Burke join convicted businessman Laurie Connell.
As former Labor high fliers appear on criminal charges, current Labor leaders have been in court as character witnesses for them. A further two trials are due this year.
While support for big business is hardly new on Labor's agenda, WA Inc was a bit too blatant about it.
Meanwhile, the WA Liberals have achieved a high profile in catering to their distinct constituency with an anti-Mabo agenda and "state rights". From the point of view of business, the WA economy is doing relatively well.
Meeting on October 12, the Labor caucus elected former union secretary Jim McGinty as parliamentary leader. Geoff Gallop received 23 votes to Kimberley MLA Ernie Bridge's seven votes for the position of deputy.
A deal was done in which former deputy leader Kay Hallahan bowed out of the running in return for three more women joining the three women previously in shadow cabinet.
McGinty became secretary of the Miscellaneous Workers Union in 1978, leaving the job in 1990 to go into parliament. In ALP factional terms, McGinty is from the left. However, his role in supporting the redevelopment of the Swan brewery would suggest that this is more a label than a matter of substance.
Indicating the main agenda for Labor would be to distance itself from WA Inc, McGinty issued an apology. "The Labor Party is sorry that WA Inc occurred. It's an unfortunate part of our past", McGinty said.
"The hurt and betrayal felt by many decent and hard-working people in WA as a result of what is popularly referred to as WA Inc is something I appreciate and intend addressing as a matter of high priority."
It is expected that a significant number of current ALP members of parliament will resign at the next election as part of the attempt to make voters forget WA Inc.
Following his election, McGinty rang WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Lyndon Rowe to reassure business, which probably didn't need it.