Showdown set as parliament resumes; Welcome to the worst intersection in WA

The good news keeps rolling for fans of Australian politics because not only is there a federal election raging but today the 42nd WA parliament begins.

WAtoday is at Parliament House, bringing you all the weird and wonderful action from the day, including 23 new MPs from both sides of the chamber being sworn in and the long-awaited showdown between new opposition leader Basil Zempilas and the rest of the Labor caucus.

Zempilas walked into parliament carrying his late father Anthony’s briefcase and a picture of him.

“He would have absolutely loved this, proud Floreat boy, grew up in Northbridge, the son of Greek parents,” he said.

“I thought it’d be a nice touch in the Leader of the Opposition’s office here, just to set up his briefcase and put the photo on top.”

Zempilas has been granted permission to ask a question in the first question time this afternoon.

“It’ll be a question that demonstrates what we’re about in opposition. I won’t tell you the question right now, but we’re here for a reason. We’re here to hold this government to account. That’s a big part of our job,” he said.

Cook arrived shortly after Zempilas and said the first order of business was to bring in legislation to enact the discounts on stamp duty for first home buyers promised in the election.

With 46 MPs, Labor still has a sizeable majority in the lower house but Cook said they would treat the parliament with respect.

He rubbished Zempilas’ claim his government didn’t have a mandate for the racetrack.

“All those policies were out there. The people of Western Australia voted for them.”