Federal election 2025: Liberal candidate Matt Moran concedes defeat in Bullwinkel

Liberal candidate Matt Moran has conceded defeat in the new Federal seat of Bullwinkel, bringing to an end a disastrous result in WA for his party in which it won no additional seats and lost another.

Labor claimed victory in Bullwinkel on Friday, but Mr Moran waited till Saturday for more counting before conceding he had lost the contest.

He phoned Labor candidate Trish Cook on Saturday afternoon, congratulating her on her win.

The AEC had Ms Cook 990 votes ahead on a two party preferred vote on Saturday afternoon.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported me throughout this campaign — those who voted for me, volunteered, or sent kind words of encouragement,” Mr Moran said in a statement.

“I am very grateful. Your support means so much to me and my team.

“I am proud of our local campaign which saw a swing towards the Liberal Party in Bullwinkel.

“To my partner Kama — thank you so much for your support. I couldn’t have done it without you, and I will always be grateful.”

At the start of the campaign, the Liberals were confident they would win Bullwinkel, newly created to accommodate WA population growth and that had been notionally thought to be Labor’s.

Liberals were also hopeful of winning Curtin but also failed in that bid — and were unable to reclaim Pearce, Hasluck, Swan and Tangney. The Liberal party also lost Moore after 27 years, with Labor’s Tom French successful.

As well as the Liberals, the Nationals also decided to contest the seat, with former WA National Party leader Mia Davies running in Bullwinkel.

But in the end, it came down to a contest between Ms Cook and Mr Moran.

Liberals told The Sunday Times this week that they believed the Nationals had done them no favours in the contest, saying Ms Davies had continually told voters they should not trust either Labor or the Liberals.

A Liberal source said about 30 per cent of National Party preferences had in fact gone to Labor.

It’s understood Liberals are keen for Mr Moran to have another tilt at Bullwinkel at the next election.