Federal election 2025: Moore embroiled in four-way contest as race for key seat heats up ahead of May 3

WA’s most marginal seat is embroiled in a four-way contest as the race for the key seat heats up ahead of the May 3 vote. Traditionally a blue-ribbon seat, the division of Moore has been won by the Liberal Party in 15 of the last 20 Federal elections. It’s been blue since 1998, but Moore has been far from predictable this election cycle. Minor boundary changes during electoral division redistribution readjusted its margin to a razor-thin 0.9 per cent. There has also been political drama, with sitting MP Ian Goodenough, who’s held Moore since 2013, ousted by his own party at Liberal preselection in February 2024. The party instead opted for former Stirling MP Vince Connelly, whose seat was abolished in 2021 thanks to an earlier redistribution. But Mr Goodenough has proven a thorn in the Coalition’s side, refusing to go quietly or without a fight, running instead as an independent and remaining vocal about what he views as a betrayal by the party. He protested a State Council meeting in July last year with large foam letters spelling out “MOORE 1996” — a reference and a warning to the last time the party lost Moore in similar circumstances. In 1996, then-Liberal MP Paul Filing lost preselection but ran, and won, as an independent. Throw in a wild card in independent Nathan Barton, whose donors include Climate 200, and Labor candidate Tom French having a second crack at the seat after securing a strong swing in 2022, the battle for Moore will be hard-fought and hard-won. Mr Goodenough has been spruiking his track record on the campaign trail, where he and his supporters have been sporting a rather familiar shade of blue, leading to raised eyebrows from some inside the Liberal Party. But the Moore MP has defended his decision to campaign in blue, saying the colour is representative of conservative politics — not the Liberal Party. “I’ve still made that commitment as a conservative politician,” he said. “It is that side of politics, it’s not a teal or a left-wing movement, it’s still a conservative position.” Mr Goodenough has indicated he will “support a Coalition government via the Nationals” in the event of a hung parliament. This is reflected in his how to vote cards, which preferences the National Party in the Senate. He has maintained his stance on no preferences for the House of Representatives. “Until internally the Liberals sort themselves out, there would be no point me re-joining the party,” he said. Liberal insiders say no one in the party regards Mr Goodenough as a legitimate prospect for retaining Moore, with many viewing his independent tilt as “a sad end to a good career”. Some voters have grown tired of political mud-slinging and are seeking genuine change. “I want my vote to go towards impactful policies that are likely to be implemented,” Karrinyup university student Daniel Nesbitt, 26, said. “I would rather spend my vote on a small step in the right direction, rather than a more extreme change that is less likely to happen.” Kingsley retiree Doreen Collinson, 76, said the campaign had been business as usual. “I don’t watch the news really, but you see the adverts, what each party . . . are portraying themselves as, what they’re going to do,” she said. “It’s the usual old promises . . . health, education, housing.” Mrs Collinson and her husband, John, both receive the age pension. While she feels “quite lucky” to access cheaper medicines with a concession card, growing hospital wait lists and fewer doctors and nurses “is a worry”. Project coordinator and North Beach resident Liora Fletcher said she’s keen to see a new MP in Moore. “I’m not happy with the current member for Moore,” she said. Ms Fletcher, 23, said Labor’s policies to address cost of living “appear practical . . . and they also resonate better with me as a young person”. “I am very eager for a change, and a member who reflects the perspectives of young people in Moore,” she said. Liberal candidate Vince Connelly said he’s also been “getting a strong sense that we do need to change” while door-knocking. “People are really feeling the increase in the cost of pretty much everything,” he said. “The Liberal plan to get Australia back on track is resonating, and I’m encouraged by that.” Party insiders are cautiously optimistic, with one source close to the campaign saying initial signs for Moore — deemed a must-win seat — were “very promising”. Mr Connelly said he has “the drive and the passion to deliver for our community”. “Certainly having served in the army and Federal Parliament, I know how much you can get done for your local community, and in broader policies,” he said. Labor candidate Tom French hopes second time’s the charm after pulling a major 11 per cent swing to Labor at the 2022 federal election, slashing the margin to less than one per cent and quashing Moore’s status as a safe Liberal seat. But the sparky turned lawyer, now an industrial officer at the Electrical Trades Union, understands it’s not as simple as riding Labor’s red wave to victory. “It is cost of living and housing that are the two big issues on the doors,” Mr French said. “I’m just focused on engaging with as many people as I can.” Practising psychologist and former army reservist Nathan Barton has reaped the rewards of an independent run, with Climate 200 tipping $72,001 into his campaign coffers since January. The other candidates are Greens’ Scott McCarthy, Trevor Alan Bartley from the Australian Christians, Paul Fimognari for One Nation and Christopher Rennick for Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots.