OC's TIP: Alan Carpenter to be WA Premier // We're First with the Latest

OC sources have revealed that Labor moderate State Development Minister and tough guy Alan Carpenter is likely to prevail in the WA ALP leadership, succeeding the retired Premier Geoff Gallop. Deputy Premier and harmless Treasurer Eric Ripper seems much less likely, with the Left's cunning powerbroker Health Minister Jim McGinty also a distant prospect (at least in his own mind) if there's a split in the Right which seems unlikely. Carpenter has a comfortable lead in early caucus head-counting, largely on factional grounds.

Right leader and Steve Smith ally in the New Right part of the Right, Police Minister Michelle Roberts is also a prospect and is reportedly testing her support, while Carpenter is unfortunately stuck in London and is presumably at Heathrow right now showing a degree of passenger anxiety that would normally see one detained. "It's only a twenty-four hour flight," he is no doubt telling himself although 24 hours is a long time in a leadership contest.

We wish all non-socialists well.

Game on.