Western Australia: July to December 2001 political chronicles

There was much controversy in Western Australian politics during the period in which the world was shaken by the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States. Major electoral law changes, together with legislation intended to remove discrimination against the gay and lesbian community, provoked much public controversy and long and bitter parliamentary debates. The Gallop Labor government, which began the period under review with a minor Cabinet reshuffle, also delivered its first budget. As former National Party leader Hendy Cowan had resigned his Merredin in seat in a quest for a Senate berth in the 10 November federal election, this necessitated a keenly fought by-election with the National Party requiring victory to retain its status as an official party