Western Australia — political history baseline
WA Inc (1980s)
Corporate–government corruption scandal under Burke government. Legacy: Deep scepticism of eastern states and Perth business elites mixing.
GST fight (2000s–2020s)
Mining boom made WA "donor" state under old GST formula; McGowan fought for fairer share and won politically. Legacy: Every federal election WA seats pivot on "who delivers for WA"; Cook inherits rhetoric.
Resources boom–bust cycles
Iron ore royalties fund state budgets; downturns break governments. Legacy: GST policy and federal Labor–WA Right alignment (Chalmers, Cook).
McGowan COVID supermajority (2021)
Record Labor win then orderly handover to Cook. Legacy: WA Liberals decimated — Mettam rebuild task.