Labor gain third term as Libs fall flat at poll

But the Liberals only garnered a swing of 10 per cent, failing to claw back the party's previous strongholds as hoped, with Labor on track for its second biggest win in the state's history. 

Labor was projected to win 43 seats, the Liberals five, the Nationals four and the Greens four by the end of counting on Saturday night. 

"While we celebrate tonight, we are humble," Mr Cook told the party faithful, after winning government in his own right after replacing Mark McGowan in 2023.

Mr Cook said his party wanted to make sure it got as big a mandate as it could. 

"We're pleased that the people of Western Australia have put their trust in us."

Liberal leader Libby Mettam said the rebuild of the WA Liberal Party would continue. 

"Is this the result I hoped for? Of course not," Ms Mettam said in her concession speech.

"Is this what we have been working for? Absolutely not and what we will take from tonight is lessons on how we can do better."

The poor Liberal showing leaves doubt as to Ms Mettam's leadership going forward. 

"I would accept any position but, look, ultimately it will be up to my colleagues," Ms Mettam said ahead of conceding. 

Former lord mayor Basil Zempilas, who looked set to regain the seat of Churchlands for the Liberal Party with a 3.6 per cent swing, is touted as a future leader 

Labor won 53 of 59 seats in the WA lower house during its unprecedented landslide victory in 2021 under then-premier Mark McGowan. 

Energy Minister Reece Whitby said the party was prepared for the loss of some seats after its landslide victory in 2021 but the scale of this victory "was astounding"."You've got to remember, we had two landslides in Western Australia ... if we go back to a 2017 style result, and it might even be better than that, after two terms and after eight years in government. 

"That is incredible... that is remarkable."

The Liberals and Nationals, who had three seats each after the previous election, needed a swing of more than 20 per cent to form a coalition government.

Liberal MLC Steve Thomas said it was a terrible result for his party.

"That's a terrible outcome for the Liberal Party," Mr Thomas told ABC TV.

Mr Thomas said it had been the three worst elections for the Liberal Party in the history of this state."That's got to deliver us a message."

Federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie said while it was a disaster for the WA Liberals there were opportunities for his party at the federal poll. 

"It is a disaster but there are some green shoots and if you look at the outer metropolitan area where there is a cost crisis, mortgage stress, housing shortage, where we are not getting essential services you are seeing massive swings," Mr Hastie told ABC TV. 

Seats including Rockingham, Secret Harbour and Darling Range were swinging hard against the WA government, Mr Hastie said.

"So I think federally what that means is there are opportunities for us if we can demonstrate we are better at managing the economy and delivering cost-of-living relief for working families and seniors."