Western Australia's premier has defended Labor's regional commitment after confirming the party won't run a by-election candidate in one of the state's most marginal seats.
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Voters in the vast electorate of North West Central will return to the polls on September 17 following the retirement of sitting Nationals MP Vince Catania.
The Nationals and Liberals, who are partners in an opposition alliance, will both run candidates in the by-election.
But Labor on Tuesday formalised a decision not to run a candidate, despite falling just 259 votes short of winning the seat at last year's state election.
With Labor already holding an unprecedented 53 out of 59 lower house seats, Premier Mark McGowan on Tuesday suggested there was little upside for the party in competing.
"It's just a political reality that those by-elections are difficult for governments, particularly in an electorate that we were not successful in last year," he told reporters.
"They are difficult for governments to win in these circumstances. That's why we've made that decision, as other political parties have historically."
The 8.4 per cent swing secured by Labor's Cherie Sibosado last year eroded the Nationals' margin in North West Central to 1.7 per cent.
A report by The West Australian newspaper claimed Mr McGowan had clashed with veteran minister Alannah MacTiernan after she questioned why the party would sit out the by-election.
But the premier insisted there were no divisions within his cabinet.
"There's been some speculation about these things but I can guarantee you, all ministers are in agreement," he said.
Mr McGowan rejected suggestions Labor was turning its back on regional voters, reeling off a list of funding commitments including discounted airfares, police and school upgrades and tourism ventures.
Pub owner Merome Beard is running for the Nationals, who are favourites to retain the seat. The Liberals have chosen pastoralist Will Baston as their candidate.
Both opposition parties claim people in the regions have been neglected by Labor, which moved almost immediately upon being re-elected to overhaul the state upper house.
From the next election in 2025, WA's six Legislative Council districts will be abolished.
Upper house MPs will instead be elected by the entire state, with regional votes no longer carrying greater weight than city votes.
The premier had assured voters on the campaign trail that such a move was not on his agenda.
Mr Catania, a former Labor MP who defected to the Nationals in 2009, announced his resignation in June, saying he had "nothing left in the tank" and wanted more time with his family.
Australian Associated Press
