The Latest Breaking News from Libby Mettam

The Western Australian election is less than a week away, and two themes have dominated: big public spending and culture wars.

Voters have a week to decide how they'll cast their ballot in the nation's wealthiest state as election campaigning hits full speed.

The peak body for doctors says Western Australia's health system is in crisis, as the major parties promise a licensing centre and support for seniors.

Labor has promised to provide dozens of small business development grants in a state election pitch as Liberals pledge millions of dollars for community groups.

WA Labor has promised to build hundreds of electric buses if it's re-elected as the Liberal and National parties head to the regions to woo voters.

With Western Australia heading to the polls on March 8, the Cook Labor government will likely prove the exception to the rule that incumbency is a liability for contemporary governments.

Labor is promising to expand training for defence industry jobs and the Liberals are pledging youth justice initiatives as a state election nears.

Premier Roger Cook has won a leaders' debate against Western Australian Liberal leader Libby Mettam on the first day of early voting in the March 8 state poll.

The Western Australian Labor and Liberal parties have officially launched their election campaigns less than two weeks from the state poll.

The Western Australian state election will be held on March 8. A Newspoll, conducted January 29 to February 4 from a sample of 1,039, gave Labor a 56–44 lead, from primary votes of 42% Labor, 32% Liberals, 3% Nationals, 12% Greens, 4% One Nation and 7% for all Others.

"Fiscal rectitude" has been abandoned in Australia's most cashed-up state as politicians vie for votes ahead of a state poll.