Don Punch to contest Bunbury for Labor

Senior party officials confirmed to the Mail that Mr Punch had been selected and would make an announcement with Mark McGowan at an event in Bunbury today.

The announcement will end a popular parlour game in South West political circles and may well cause concern in some camps: Mr Punch is seen by political operatives across the spectrum as a coup for Labor and a strong candidate.

For nearly 18 years Mr Punch was chief executive officer of the South West Development Commission, retiring on July 1 this year.

Board chairman Stuart Hicks said Mr Punch had helped preside over fundamental growth in the social and economic condition of the region.

Manjimup shire president and number two on the Liberal South West ticket for the upper house in 2017, Wade DeCampo, said in a statement on Mr Punch’s retirement the shire’s successes “can largely be attributed to the assistance, guidance and inspiration he has provided us” and praised Mr Punch’s exhaustive knowledge of the region.

Speaking to the Mail on Friday, originally on topics other than Mr Punch until the subject became unavoidable, Nationals candidate for Bunbury and state president James Hayward said, “I’m obviously as keen as others are to find out who the Labor candidate is but I think the reality is the results from the last federal election show that people didn’t turn to Labor as a real option.”

Asked who could spoil his chances, Liberal candidate Ian Morison said, “I don't really know that anyone will. 

“I don't know the Labor candidate but I'm sure whoever they put up will be a good authentic Bunbury person. I think they can't prevail because of their policies, their philosophy, and because I suspect it's no longer a swing seat.”

The seat of Bunbury is traditionally a bellwether seat and over the last 40 years has regularly changed hands between Liberal and Labor. 

Mr Punch and Mr McGowan, following party protocol, declined to comment prior to any official candidate announcement.