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Federal election 2022: Mark McGowan heckled by anti-vaxxers as he casts vote in Perth

Joe Spagnolo The West Australian
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VideoMark McGowan heckled during election presser.

Mark McGowan was heckled by anti-vaxxers as he and son Samuel cast their votes at Safety Bay Primary School on Saturday.

A man wearing a United Australia Party t-shirt continually threw barbs at the Premier, questioning the State’s vaccine mandates.

The man yelled: “I can go to the footy unvaxxed and unmasked, but can’t work.”

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Mr McGowan’s has credited his hardline stance on jab mandates for helping lifting WA’s booster coverage to more than 81 per cent, one of the best results in the world.

He dismissed the vitriol as typical of supporters of Queensland billionaire Clive Palmer’s minor party.

“The thing about the Clive Palmer party is they just attract a bunch of people who are very unusual and very odd,” Mr McGowan said.

“They don’t have any valid points on anything.”

Mark McGowan was heckled by anti-vaxxers as he cast his vote at Safety Bay Primary School on Saturday.
Camera IconMark McGowan was heckled by anti-vaxxers as he cast his vote at Safety Bay Primary School on Saturday. Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian
Election Day morning at Safety Bay Primary School, where Mark McGowan was heckled.
Camera IconElection Day morning at Safety Bay Primary School, where Mark McGowan was heckled. Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian

The Premier predicted in December that Federal Labor would win as many as five seats at the 2022 election: Swan, Pearce, Hasluck, Tangney and Moore.

But he has refused to offer his view since then and again stated he was “not making any predictions” on Saturday.

“I’m just hopeful it goes well,” Mr McGowan said.

However, he added it was likely the outcome of the election would hinge on results in WA - meaning the country could be left waiting long into Saturday night to find out whether Scott Morrison or Anthony Albanese would be named Prime Minister.

Mark McGowan says it is likely the outcome of the election would hinge on results in WA.
Camera IconMark McGowan says it is likely the outcome of the election would hinge on results in WA. Credit: Ian Munro/The West Australian

“Very easily, Western Australia could (decide) the outcome,” he said.

The Premier - who was criticised by his own party for appearing alongside Mr Morrison at a chummy Perth press conference shortly before the election was called - again threw his support behind Mr Albanese.

“I have a very good working relationship with him,” Mr McGowan said.

“ I am sure I will be able to have good conversations and good discussions with him about what ever the issues are.”

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