Solid McGowan uses debate to zero in on state debt, Barnett builds return on ... - The Australian

WEST Australian Premier Colin Barnett last night built his case for re-election on his government's record at the helm of the nation's boom state economy and his ability to stand firm against moves by Canberra to shift control of half the state's GST revenue to the commonwealth.

In the only leaders' debate of the election campaign, Mr Barnett described Western Australia as heading in the right direction, focusing on economic growth of almost 7 per cent and the nation's lowest unemployment rate.