The opposition failed to substantially weaken ruling center-left Labor and put pressure on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s Labor party has secured a morale-boosting victory in an election in the nation’s largest state, enhancing his chances of a come-from-behind win in a federal vote that must be held by May 17.

SYDNEY - The Labor party secured re-election in Western Australia on March 8 as the state’s voters backed the party in a final political contest before Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls a national election due by mid-May.

It is Australia's final political contest before Prime Minister Albanese calls a national election that is due by mid May.

The Western Australian Labor Party will govern the state for a third consecutive term, after a resounding defeat over the Liberals. Labor premier Roger Cook says his party has been rewarded for delivering a sensible and stable government.