Former Prime Minister John Howard speaks to voter Zoe Johns from Midvale, as the Federal Member for Hasluck Ken Wyatt looks on.
Camera IconFormer Prime Minister John Howard speaks to voter Zoe Johns from Midvale, as the Federal Member for Hasluck Ken Wyatt looks on. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Bean counter ‘never wrong’ in an election

Sally McGlew, Midland ReporterMidland Kalamunda Reporter

Mr Howard met with Mr Wyatt for a ‘Coffee with Ken’ program meetings at Miss Maud’s in Midland Gate before walking through the shopping centre with Mr Wyatt to meet local business owners and shoppers.

Shoppers greeted Mr Howard with shock and surprise and some were speechless, all lining up to have their photo taken with the former PM.

‘Love you John,’ people yelled as they walked past, others followed him to the end of the shopping centre and asked for books about his life to be signed.

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Miss Maud’s coffee poll, which has been run for the past 10 elections, has indicated already a Liberal government win by about 50 coffee beans.

‘It has never been wrong before,’ Miss Maud said.

Miss Maud who started her business in 1973 in Pier Street, Perth also runs polls on issues of concern for voters and seeks feedback on parties’ roles with the GST, clean energy, two party duopolies and asylum seekers.

Mr Howard said he had been to Hasluck a number of times before.

‘I’m not new to campaigning in Midland and I’m here because Ken Wyatt is a very strong local member who I really support and want to throw my weight behind.’

‘There is not a shopping centre in Australia that has escaped me,’ Mr Howard said.

Asked about the mood in the electorate and the places that Mr Howard has campaigned in so far for Liberal stalwarts, the former PM said: ‘I don’t find a lot of support for Labor in all the places I’ve been in’.

Mr Howard said so far he had campaigned in New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria for candidates.

Mr Wyatt said he was very appreciative of Mr Howard’s support.

‘He is like a mentor to me,’ he said.