Kingsley rematch sees Jessica Stojkovski challenged by WA political family royalty Scott Edwardes

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Kingsley rematch sees Jessica Stojkovski challenged by WA political family royalty Scott Edwardes

Labor has a slight lead in early counting in the key battleground seat of Kingsley, where the Liberal candidate is hoping to win a seat previously held by his mother for more than 15 years.

The electorate covers the northern suburbs of Woodvale, Kingsley, Greenwood, Warwick, and Hamersley.

As of 7.20pm, 11.52 per cent of the vote in Kingsley had been counted, with Labor’s Jessica Stojkovski leading early with 42.97 per cent of the first preference vote, ahead of Liberal Scott Edwardes with 34.94 per cent.

Mr Edwardes’ mother Cheryl was a former member from 1989 to 2005.

Ms Stojkovski, who has held the seat since 2017, dominated the 2021 election against Mr Edwardes, securing 60.5 per cent of the first preference vote, compared to Mr Edwardes’ 30.2 per cent.

This result saw Labor’s lead increase from 1.2 per cent in the 2017 State Election to 16.9 per cent in 2021, a swing seen widely across the state and attributed to Mark McGowan and WA Labor’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This time around, the result was always going to be tighter as the cost-of-living crunch seen around the world weighed heavily on voters’ minds.

Looking back on the 2025 election, Ms Stojkovski criticised what, in her opinion, was a “divisive” political campaign by the WA Liberal Party.

“Our Kingsley community is a cohesive and positive one. But unfortunately, the Liberals have decided to run a divisive and negative campaign which they should reflect on in the coming weeks, she said.

“At a time when our economy is the strongest in the nation, the Liberals have demonstrated they are unfit to govern.”

Camera IconJessica Stojkovski with her family yesterday at Greenwood Primary School. Credit: Supplied

Ms Stojkovski said the most pressing issue raised during her campaign was the financial pressure many people are feeling, along with improvements to local schools.

“The most common issue raised on the doorstep is cost of living and there is strong acknowledgement of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to delivering real relief,” she said.

“It is clear that our community is also passionate about having access to quality educational facilities and making sure our kids are set up for the jobs of the future.”

Reflecting on the WA Liberals’ Kingsley campaign, officially launched in early November last year, Mr Edwardes fondly recalled the countless hours spent knocking on doors and engaging with the community.

“The campaign was an opportunity to meet with community members who simply wanted someone to listen to them. Listening is the key word and not being dismissive,” he said.

“The people in Woodvale, Kingsley, Greenwood, Warwick and Hamersley deserves a member of Parliament who really listens and advocates for the people and the area.”

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Mr Edwardes believes the absence of what he considers reasonable representation on local issues in the electorate is a major concern.

“The key issue in the Kingsley community is the lack of effective representation and advocacy. Whether it’s congestion on Woodvale Drive, the sound wall, or high rises in Warwick, the community deserve better,” he said.

As the votes for the 2025 State election continue to be counted, regardless of the outcome, Kingsley is poised to benefit from the significant promises made by both major parties throughout the campaign.

Labor and the Liberals have each committed $225 million to upgrading the Reid Highway and Erindale Road intersection, a longstanding source of frustration for locals.

In 2023-24 alone, congestion at the intersection is estimated to have cost the WA economy $21.3 million.

Additionally, both parties committed $16 million towards the upgrade of Warwick Stadium, transforming it into the new home for the Perth Wildcats and Lynx basketball teams.

The upgrade will see three new courts, new physiotherapy facilities, a new gymnasium, a wellness centre, and other modern amenities being built, making it Perth’s premier basketball facility.

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