Western Australia election: voters expected to inflict steep losses on hapless Liberals

The opposition leader conceded the election weeks ago in an astonishing' campaign

Mark McGowan is expected to be returned as premier of Western Australia with an increased majority on Saturday night, in an unsurprising result following a surprising campaign in which attention has been focused on the dwindling fortunes of the Liberal party.

Twelve months ago the McGowan government would have expected to win a second term handily at the cost of a few seats. Instead, with a forecast swing of up to 12.5% to Labor, the government is expected to pick up seats and reduce the Liberal party's numbers in the lower house to low single digits.