As the WA election looms, will Mark McGowan’s border backtrack dent his popularity?

A week-and-a-half from an election victory that would set records and all but wipe out the opposition — if the polls are even close to accurate — is not a time most politicians would even think about taking a risk.

That’s why West Australian Premier Mark McGowan’s suggestion that COVID-19 border restrictions continue for years to come came as such a bolt out of the blue.

“The Police Commissioner and I will continue to talk about what can be done to protect the state from the scourge of meth and other drugs. If necessary, we will look at measures we can bring in should we be re-elected,” Mr McGowan said.