Federal election 2025: Josh Wilson in tight fight for Fremantle against independent Kate Hulett

Labor MP Josh Wilson says Fremantle voters have not followed how to votes, as he faces a challenge from Climate 200-backed independent Kate Hulett in the port city seat.

With 75 per cent of the vote counted, Mr Wilson had polled nearly 40 per cent — an almost five point drop from the 2022 election, while Ms Hulett had 23.5 per cent.

The race has come down to the wire, with both the Liberal and Greens candidates preferencing Ms Hulett above Mr Wilson, leading to a narrow count between the pair.

Asked about the race on Sunday, Mr Wilson said he had fought hard for the community in his nine years in Parliament.

“Every election is different because of the candidate mix — there’s a different mix in Freo,” he said.

“We have to wait see how the preferences go in circumstances where both the Liberals and the Greens have preferenced away from me.

“But I’m grateful that the thoughtful and good judgement of the people of Fremantle is indicating to us that there are a significant number of people who aren’t following those instructions, and I hope that that’s because they respect the work I’ve done steadily on their behalf.”

Labor insiders told The West Australian their scrutineers had reported Greens votes splitting roughly evenly between Mr Wilson and Ms Hulett during points of the count last night.

Mr Wilson, who was a vocal opponent of the live sheep export industry, said he believed he represented achievable reform which his electorate demanded.

“I’ve always spoken from my own position of principle as a Labor member,” he said.

“If you want to see significant positive reform that can be embedded for the lasting benefit of communities around Australia, including my community, you need to do that through a proper process like the one that the Labor Party takes.”

Ms Hulett — who narrowly lost the seat of Fremantle at the recent State election — said her second campaign had connected with the seat.

“Just like at the WA election, the count is too close to call and may be several days before we have an outcome. But we have already won in so many ways — Fremantle has shown what is possible when we do politics differently,” she said.

“Of course, this is no mean feat after nearly a century of Labor incumbency, but the community sentiment has moved in a way that is palpable and permanent.

“We offered change, and people have voted for it — they want to take back power from the politicians to get meaningful action and better outcomes.”