Simmering dissatisfaction in Western Australia over the state's GST share is giving rise to a new political movement after a minor party pushing for change again polled well at the weekend's Darling Range by-election.
The Western Australia Party had the number one spot on the Darling Range ballot paper and secured nearly 6 per cent of the vote, siphoning the major party protest vote away from more established organisations.
The Darling Range result saw a near 1 per cent swing against One Nation and nearly a 2 per-cent swing against the Greens.
The seat was won by the Liberals' Alyssa Hayden.
WA Party candidate, Russell Goodrick, said he was "ecstatic" with the micro-party's result.
"I think it was a bit of a protest vote," Mr Goodrick admitted.
"But I think also that yes, people want a fairer share of the GST because they understand it does affect them in their daily routines and the prices of things."
The new party also polled 9 per cent of the vote at the Cottesloe by-election in March, which was triggered by the resignation of former premier Colin Barnett.
Party convenor Julie Matheson said the Darling Range vote was another test to see if the party's message was being heard in an electorate where picking a frontrunner proved difficult.
She said the result proved that message was resonating with electors.
"We out-polled One Nation in nine of the 17 polling booths," Ms Matheson said.
"We out-polled the Greens in many polling booths.
"Our campaign is really resonating with people, and to ignore our campaign, do it at your peril."
Ms Matheson confirmed the party would run candidates in both upcoming federal by-elections in Perth and Fremantle at the end of July, and is optimistic about their chances given the Liberals' decision to not run candidates in either race.
"We can't wait for our campaign to grab even more attention," she said.
"When people start to join the dots between fees and charges and GST, our vote will go through the roof."
