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.

Backed by significant mining industry and other business figures, Labor won Saturday’s state election in WA, but largely due to “disastrous” results for the opposition Liberal and National parties.

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

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.