Editing Geoff Gallop (section)

===Opposition Leader (1996–2001)===
In Opposition, his Shadow Ministerial responsibilities included Treasury, Resources and Energy, Parliamentary and Electoral Reform, Public Sector Management, Accountability, Sport and Recreation, Aboriginal Affairs, Health, Federal Affairs, Treasury and the South West.<ref name="BrokenBurden"/>

In October 1996, [[Jim McGinty]] resigned as Leader of the Opposition and named Gallop his successor, a role he assumed without a caucus vote.<ref name="DrWho"/>
Soon afterwards, he led Labor into [[1996 Western Australian state election|an election held in December]]. He was heavily defeated by the [[Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division)|Liberal Party]] government of [[Richard Court]], taking only 35.8 percent of the primary vote—its lowest total since 1901.<ref>{{cite news
 | author = Staff writer
 | title = Western Australian government returned
 | publisher = [[Agence France-Presse]]
 | date = 14 December 1996
 | quote = The Western Australian Liberal-National Party Government, headed by Premier Richard Court, has been returned to office with an increased majority in the State Legislative Assembly (lower house).
 }}</ref>