Albo and McGowan ‘mates’ but don’t expect to see them together

A federal party leader has finally graced the West Australian public with their presence this election campaign, but the invisible force repelling federal leaders from their state counterparts has struck again.

Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese visited the BHP Nickel Refinery in Kwinana on Thursday and will remain in the state over the next few days but, so far, has no public appearances planned with Premier Mark McGowan.

Leader of the Opposition Anthony Albanese speaks at a press conference after a tour of Kwinana Nickel Refinery in Perth on Thursday.Credit:Richard Wainwright/AAP

Mr Albanese denied he was snubbed by McGowan, who was campaigning in Albany and Busselton on Thursday, and said they were scheduled for a private meeting at the Premier’s Perth office tomorrow.

“Come on, Mark McGowan’s a friend of mine, he’s been a friend of mine for a very long time,” he said.

“Mark McGowan’s in a state election campaign that’s about state issues.

“I’ve been here talking about jobs in WA. Tomorrow I’ll be talking about our national childcare policy that will help locally in Western Australia, and I’ll be meeting with a whole range of people from this afternoon right through to tonight from early tomorrow morning.”

Mr Albanese said he was attending an event on Thursday night with Member for Fremantle Josh Wilson and would meet state candidates.

He said he had not requested to do any public events with Mr McGowan during his visit.

“Last time round I launched a whole range of state campaigns, due to circumstances this time around that’s been a bit more difficult,” he said.