Greens’ Kwinana backflip

A former Labor member, turned independent, Ms Adams said the backflip by the Greens to preference the Kwinana MLA, after it directed preferences to her at the 2008 poll, was a reflection of both parties’ desperation.

Ms Adams lost by 300 votes at the last election to Mr Cook, who was preselected by Labor over her.

She said the Greens’ announcement was not unexpected and both parties were trying to counter the strength of her campaign.

“It’s not insurmountable for me to win the election,” Ms Adams said.

“I can win outright.”

Ms Adams said her main objective would be to get the primary vote and not rely on preferences.

Greens Kwinana candidate Iwan Boskamp said he met with both candidates to discuss policy issues before he made his decision.

Mr Boskamp said the electorate deserved a politician who would deliver on key policy areas, including public transport and the environment.

“The decision to award preferences to Roger Cook over independent Carol Adams was based on an assessment of the two candidates and their stand on issues such as plans for an industrial-sized waste incinerator at Kwinana, protecting Point Peron and shifting freight from road to rail,” he said.

Mr Cook welcomed the news and said he shared many of Mr Boskamp’s concerns for the electorate.

He believed the Greens’ change of heart was based on their judgment of his performance over the past four-and-a-half years.