Editor’s Desk: The race for Durack could be an interesting one even if Liberals are in the driver’s seat

The Federal electorate of Durack which encompasses Geraldton — and a big chunk of the rest of WA — is a safe Liberal seat and has been ever since it came into existence at the 2010 poll. But within Durack, the regional towns and cities all have State MPs who are either Labor or Nationals. Not one Liberal among them (granted that’s not surprising given there are only two Lower House Liberal MPs after last year’s election annihilation). Clear as mud, right? While the political reality of Federal versus State politics may not make sense to the average punter (remember, all but one of our States’ premiers are Labor and we have a Liberal Federal government), no one is expecting an upset in Durack on May 21. It’s a safe bet it will remain in Liberal hands, and local MHR and Cabinet minister Melissa Price will be elected for a fourth time. But it may not all go according to plan for the Liberals. The choice of Ian Blayney as the last-minute Nationals candidate for Durack could throw a spanner in the works. The former State MP is a well-known name and a known quantity. Arguably more voters in Geraldton would know who Ian Blayney is over Melissa Price. It’s a clever tactic by the Nationals, to put an experienced campaigner and local identity in the mix. And at the opposite end of the political experience spectrum is Labor’s pick Jeremiah Riley. But Mr Riley has youthful exuberance, passion and a push for change on his side. It’s an interesting mix of candidates (along with the Greens’ impressive pick of Bianca McNeair) but it probably won’t be enough to unseat Mrs Price, who holds a buffer of a 13.5 per cent margin. But dare I say it taking any ground off the Liberals in Durack would likely be seen as a win by the other contenders. And that could be the reality. If the anti-Liberal and anti-ScoMo sentiment proves to be a reality, then Durack could go from being a safe Liberal seat to a marginal one. Overall, the 2022 Federal election race could come down to the wire. There are pros and cons for each major party. Scott Morrison’s unpopularity and the campaign for change might work against the Liberals, but they are hoping enough voters choose to cast their ballot for the devil they know, rather than the one they don’t. Anthony Albanese is a gamble, but so is any Opposition before they are in the hot seat. However, I don’t think anyone has had a worst first day on the campaign trail that the would-be PM after Mr Albanese failed to recall what the unemployment rate and official cash rate were. Whether it was simply a mental blank or indicative of a worrying lack of knowledge, those basic figures are something that should be ingrained in the brain of anyone who is running for the privilege of leading this country. Especially at a time when cost of living pressures are so high on the agenda. Whether Albo’s day one gaffe lingers around like a bad stench remains to be seen. But he needs to do extra work to dig himself out of that hole, that’s for sure. We still have 37 more days of this — 37 more days for ScoMo and Albo to convince us they are the best option or 37 more days for them to keep putting their foot in it.