Mark McGowan ready to fight on

BACK FOR MORE: WA Labor Leader Mark McGowan says he is up for the challenge to continue leading the party. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

WA Labor leader Mark McGowan has been re-elected unopposed as the party's leader following an embarrassing election defeat last month.

Mr McGowan was re-elected the leader at a caucus meeting today where there were no challenges to any of the leadership team.

WA Labor will return to the state parliament next week with just 21 seats opposite a strengthened Liberal/National coalition.

Deputy leader Roger Cook, Labor leader in the Legislative Council Sue Ellery and deputy leader in the Legislative Council Kate Doust were also endorsed on Tuesday.

Mr McGowan said he was looking forward to leading the party to the 2017 election.

``The next four years will present a challenging course for our team,'' he said.

``But we have the energy, experience and enthusiasm to work together to meet these challenges.''

WA Labor had a stable team that was ready to present an alternative government, Mr McGowan said.

Earlier today, three weeks after the election thrashing, 45-year-old Mr McGowan said the campaign before the March 9 poll had been gruelling.

``I worked as hard as I could and at the end of it I have to say I was pretty tired, which is why I took a little bit of time off,'' Mr McGowan said.

``It was hard, it was demanding, but it was a good experience, and there has been a lot of positive feeling on what we tried to achieve.''

Since the defeat, Prime Minister Julia Gillard has visited the state without meeting with Mr McGowan. But he blames the Liberal advertising dollar and dirty tricks for the election outcome, rather than dissatisfaction with the Labor brand.

``In the last couple of weeks we did suffer from a couple of things - one was the premier going out and saying he was not sick, which somehow implied that I said he was,'' Mr McGowan told ABC radio.

``And the Liberal Party had an enormous amount they spent on advertising, and what can't be forgotten is they spent $2 million of taxpayers' money on advertising in the lead-up to the election campaign with their ... ads.

``But we need to know that the second term of a government is always more difficult than the first, and there is a lot of material there for us to point out their flaws and deficiencies.''
 

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Bridge's family to continue legal fight

LEGAL FIGHT: The family of the late WA Labor MP Ernie Bridge will continue the legal battle over his asbestos-related death. Picture: Colin Murty Source: The Australian

LEGAL FIGHT: The family of the late WA Labor MP Ernie Bridge will continue the legal battle over his asbestos-related death. Source: PerthNow

THE family of pioneering politician Ernie Bridge has been offered a state funeral by the West Australian government in recognition of his contribution to the community.

Mr Bridge, the Kimberley MLA from 1980 to 2001, died in Perth from asbestos-related diseases on Sunday, aged 76.

He was WA's first Aboriginal MP and the first indigenous cabinet minister in any Australian government.

As tributes flooded in for the father of four, country music singer and former pastoralist, WA Premier Colin Barnett confirmed Mr Bridge's family had been offered a state funeral.

"We have been in contact with Ernie Bridge's family and have made an offer of assistance, including a state funeral or memorial service, in recognition of the significant contribution Mr Bridge made to the state,'' Mr Barnett said.

"Again I would like to extend my condolences on behalf of the government for the family's loss.

"Ernie Bridge was a tremendously popular member of parliament who served the people of the Kimberley with dedication and passion and will be remembered with admiration for his significant involvement in the progress of our state.''

Having served as a minister under WA Labor leaders Brian Burke and Peter Dowding, Mr Bridge received a medal of the Order of Australia and was awarded a Centenary Medal for his commitment to Aboriginal affairs. He was also known for promoting the idea of piping water from the Kimberley to Perth via Kalgoorlie. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda said Mr Bridge was a man of integrity and courage.

"Ernie Bridge was not only a pioneering Aboriginal leader and giant of a role model for younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, he was also a unique individual who could count hundreds as friends,'' Commissioner Gooda said.

Earlier, it was confirmed Mr Bridge's family will be able to continue legal action over the asbestos-related diseases that led to his death on Sunday.

Weeks ago, Mr Bridge lodged a Supreme Court writ seeking damages from parties including companies run by two of the nation's richest women, Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting and Angela Bennett's Wright Prospecting.

He claimed he was exposed to asbestos while overseeing the closure of mines and withdrawal of government services from Wittenoom in the late 1980s.

Lawyer Simon Millman of Slater and Gordon confirmed the family would be able to continue the legal fight because the claim had been lodged while he was still alive.

"It is an important reminder that if people are experiencing asbestos-related diseases it is imperative that legal proceedings be started in their lifetime,'' Mr Millman told ABC radio.

"Mr Bridge appropriately commenced his proceedings and that will now mean his estate, his family and loved ones are able to proceed with the claim notwithstanding he has passed away.''

The family have not yet indicated whether they will continue the action.

Mr Millman said the legal process could continue, but the grieving process should be given priority.

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Newman to fight nightclub assault charge

IN COURT: Young West Coast Eagle Murray Newman will fight charges from a Northbridge nightclub brawl. Picture: Faith Moran Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast's rising AFL star Murray Newman will plead not guilty to a charge of grievous bodily harm after an incident at a Northbridge nightclub.

Newman, 18, was charged after a fight in November at the Library Nightclub in Perth's Northbridge entertainment district that allegedly left a man with facial injuries so severe he needed surgery.

In Perth Magistrates Court Newman's lawyer indicated he would plead not guilty to the charge.

He would also try to have the charge downgraded.

Newman was released on bail and will next appear in court in June.

At a previous hearing, Newman was barred from entering any nightclub and not allowed on any licensed premises after 11.30pm (WST). Newman also posted $10,000 bail with a $10,000 surety and vowed not to contact or go within 50m of the alleged victim.

At the time he was charged, the Eagles said they were ``bitterly disappointed'' with Murray, who played four games in his debut season for the club, kicking three goals.

His off-season has not improved since. He was beaten by 44-year-old John Worsfold in two 2km running time-trials in the days after his arrest.

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