Federal election 2025: Tensions reach boiling point as argument breaks out at Duncraig pre-polling centre

Sparks have flown in the lead up to the Federal election as the number of West Aussies voting early soars with an argument breaking out at a Duncraig pre-polling centre. Footage of the late stages of an argument between election volunteers in Duncraig on Wednesday were shared on Moore MP Ian Goodenough’s Facebook page. It came after the Independent MP — who was ousted as the Liberal candidate in a pre-selection civil war with former Stirling MP Vince Connelly — posted a video of the final moments of an altercation between several volunteers, which Mr Goodenough said showed “thuggish behaviour”. It depicted a Liberal volunteer yelling at one of Mr Goodenough’s team on Wednesday, with that woman telling The West Australian the man had accused her of filming him after a verbal argument broke out between him and her colleague. “He said something like ‘if you don’t vote for Labor, vote for Goodenough, he’s the real Liberal’, and then the Liberal guy yelled ‘you can’t say that’,” she said. “Then all of a sudden he was yelling ‘don’t record me’ and was a few centimetres from my face. “I felt pretty threatened, and when my colleague sort of stepped between us, the guy grabbed his throat.” The video, which begins mid-argument between Mr Goodenough’s female staffer and the Liberal volunteer shows the latter turn his attention to a Labor volunteer. “You stop lying,” he can be heard yelling at the man. “He’s not an incumbent ... do not lie.” The West Australian understands the tensions evaporated minutes later, when the Liberal volunteer left the pre-polling centre. “I’ve been doing this for years and I’ve never seen anything like that,” the woman, who asked not to be named, said. “I know it’s going to be a really intense race, but it’s just unacceptable.” Mr Goodenough said it was “vital” candidates and their volunteers remained “respectful and tolerant of each other”. “Everyone can have an opinion, but we need to keep it civil,” he said. A Liberal Party spokesperson confirmed the volunteer was removed from the pre-poll booth following the incident, and that apologies were offered by other members to the opposing side “which we understood to have been accepted in good faith”. “We expect our volunteers to be respectful in their interactions with candidates and volunteers from other parties, and expect that same level of courtesy and respect to be reciprocated,” the spokesperson said. Despite the drama, all seemed quiet on the home-front on Thursday, with The West Australian attending several pre-polling centres on day three of early voting. At a pre-polling centre in Applecross, Liberal Senator Matt O’Sullivan said everyone there had been getting along, but questioned the visible difference in the number of Labor volunteers and signage compared to the Liberals’ masses. “I’m not sure if they think they’ve got it in the bag or what’s going on,” he said. Perth Labor MP and Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman hit back hours later at a polling place on Hay Street. “Signs don’t win elections — good policies, stable and responsible leaders do,” he said. “The Liberal Party clearly has a lot of money in some seats. “A few extra signs isn’t going to get you over the line. And we know we have to work for every single vote.” The number of people rushing to cast their vote early in the lead up to the May 3 election has already smashed records, with 60,000 West Australians — 115 per cent more than on the opening day of the 2022 election — taking advantage of pre-polling on day one of early voting. In Subiaco, Independent Kate Chaney said everything had felt “very positive” so far. “The number of early voters is already up, but that’s just going to keep increasing, which is really great to see,” she said.