Political analyst Harry Phillips said due to memories of the WA Inc era, the state's AAA credit rating had a greater "political potency" than in the rest of Australia, where electors took more notice of global circumstances.

"(Mr) Buswell's) May Budget will need to have outcomes that attempt to preserve Triple A," Dr Phillips said.

Mr Barnett and Mr Buswell were also involved in a delicate balancing act with Nationals leader Brendon Grylls, having to accommodate the latter's royalties for regions package while Mr Grylls - who has committed to maintaining the AAA credit rating - had to ensure the royalty package was not watered down so as to be unacceptable to the Nationals' constituency.

The man who briefly succeeded Mr Barnett in 2005 as Liberal leader, Matt Birney, a former Kalgoorlie MLA, said royalties for regions had so far been "well executed" by Mr Grylls, but he had to remain vigilant in the face of pressure.

"I hope they don't lose their nerve," he said.

"(Mr Grylls) has to ensure the package promised to country people ends up in the country."

Meanwhile, Mr Buswell would be measured by the upcoming Budget, where hard decisions would have to be made.

"I think his skill and talent will come out, but it has to be a tough Budget," Mr Birney said.

"It's necessary that he has to cut various programs. I think the jury's a bit out on the treasurer."

Mr Birney, who succeeded Mr Barnett as Liberal leader after the latter's defeat by Geoff Gallop in the 2005 election - only to himself be ousted by Paul Omodei a year later - said his former colleagues had generally steered clear of the highs and lows of politics since taking the Government benches, instead focusing on a "head down, bums up" approach.

Mr Barnett was a "steady" Premier, rather than a "superstar", while his Cabinet colleagues in critical roles had mixed results.

Health minister Kim Hames, transport minister Simon O'Brien, and mines minister Norman Moore had performed well.

However, they would continue to face challenges to deliver some of their promises.

This was particularly true in the health portfolio, where Dr Hames would have to ensure staff were micro-managed in order to implement his "terribly ambitious" plans to ensure patients fronting at hospital emergency departments were admitted and either discharged or transferred within four hours of arrival.

The Government had so far failed to deliver policies of "any great consequence" in education, and needed to deal with what to do with disruptive students bent on "destroying" schooling for other pupils.

"I haven't seen a lot of action in that regard," Mr Birney said.

HEALTH

What they’ve promised: Saving Royal Perth Hospital. Priority to Kalgoorlie Hospital redevelopment. No more than four hours for patients attending emergency departments to be admitted and either transferred or discharged. Dedicated mental health minister. Appoint an independent commissioner to review the state’s mental health services.

What they’ve delivered: The RPH Protection Bill is making its way through Parliament. With the help of royalties for regions funding, the Government says the Kalgoorlie redevelopment will be completed by 2012. Graham Jacobs has been appointed mental health minister. A nationally-first website where the public can check queues and waiting times at public hospitals.

Harry Phillips' verdict: With the health portfolio absorbing a quarter of the State Budget, its management will remain a formidable challenge.

Matt Birney's verdict: If Kim Hames can achieve (keeping Royal Perth Hospital open) without compromising on the number of beds and the Fiona Stanley Hospital development then it is to be welcomed.

LAW AND ORDER

What they’ve promised: To abolish truth-in-sentencing. Mandatory jail sentences for offenders convicted of assaulting police. More police, including 500 on the frontline, in the next five years. Introduce prohibited behaviour orders. Tougher "hoon laws" where vehicles owned by repeat offenders are eventually seized and could be crushed.

What they’ve delivered: Truth-in-sentencing is gone. However, the mandatory sentencing legislation has been held up in the Upper House, after being widened to include other public officers. No sign yet of the prohibited behaviour orders. The hoon law legislation is expected to be before Parliament soon.

Harry Phillips' verdict: Problems invariably arise in the legislative passage of law and order statutes... it is rare that one political party can gain an electoral advantage from their policies in this contentious sphere.

Matt Birney's verdict: (Attorney-general) Christian Porter in my opinion is the next leader of the Liberal Party. Repealing the truth-in-sentencing laws is i think a major achievement. On the negative side... the hoon car confiscation is an absolute travesty of justice if the car is owned by the hoon's mother or grandmother or someone else.

ECONOMY

What they’ve promised: Agreed to implement a three per cent public sector “efficiency dividend”. Carry out an "economic audit", with the purpose of finding areas for tax reform. $250 million to be found in first term for tax cuts, including from "windfall state budget revenues". Would slash the use of consultants. Would seek to build major projects through the extensive use of public-private partnerships.

What they’ve delivered: Struggling on the efficiency dividend and Mr Buswell has admitted it won't be fully implemented in his first Budget. Instituted a public sector hiring freeze in a bid to control recurrent spending. Mr Buswell has had to seek approval ffrom parliament for a record $1.2 billion treasurer's advance to meet cost blow outs. Consultants slashed in some areas but even more used in others. The greater use of public-private partnerships has not occurred.

Matt Birney's verdict: All we've seen coming from (treasurer Troy Buswell) to date is bad news. That's an unfortunate function of government. I think Troy Buswell will be measured by the strength of the Budget he delivers in May.

Chalpat Sonti's verdict: The Liberals didn't cause the global financial crisis (really) and like every other government of any hue have had to adjust policies to cope with it.There's enough uncertainty about to ram through unpopular but necessary Budget measures - a cynic might say it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make cuts without too much public opprobrium - and Mr Buswell needs to be brave enough to do so next month.

INFRASTRUCTURE and RESOURCES

What they’ve promised: State involvement in a proposed port and rail development at Oakajee, north of Geraldton. Would overturn Labor's ban on uranium mining. Streamline resource approvals. Mr Barnett has pushed, since coming to power, for a quick decision on a site for a LNG gas hub in the Kimberley. Extending the Dampier-Bunbury gas pipeline to Albany.

What they’ve delivered: The funds have been committed to Oakajee. Uranium mining is now permitted. The approvals process is being streamlined with the formation of an industry working group to oversee reforms, and additionally $80 million has been put into helping exploration companies. After a rocky start, Mr Barnett has got his way with a gas hub site. Canned the proposed new Kitchener Park sports stadium and scaled back the Perth Waterfront development. Seriously considering the Len Buckeridge-backed James Point port proposal. No sign of the gas pipeline.

Matt Birney's verdict: Over the years many ministers have spoken about the approvals process but done little. This (industry) group has the capacity to change policy. (Transport minister Simon O'Brien's) commitment to tackle port development is welcomed. Fremantle port is at crisis point and companies are paying hundreds of thousands in demurrage costs due to delays in ships being loaded.

Chalpat Sonti's verdict: Potentially the trickiest areas for the Government, but love them or loathe them, ones where they have shown some decisiveness. Oakajee is still a long way from being built, but the Government backing will give it more certainty than the previous private financing model. Mr Moore is a decidedly-average public performer but has pleased the resources sector with some much-wanted reforms.

TRANSPORT

What they’ve promised: Fuel card for pensioners in regions. Ellenbrook rail line - matching a Labor election pledge. Free public transport for seniors.

What they’ve delivered: Ruled out a rail line to Perth Airport, before a feasibility study by the Public Transport Authority was completed. Ditched the feasibility study into the Ellenbrook line, but promised to include it in another study. The senior scheme is now up-and-running, after some delays due to the need to upgrade SmartRider technology.

Chalpat Sonti's verdict: Tinkering at the edges. Short-sighted approach in ruling out a rail line to Perth Airport in favour of improving roading links, before the feasibilty study was done. Road safety might have a long-term strategy, but some of the comments from minister Rob Johnson indicate he has little idea what to do to deliver.

REGIONS and LOCAL GOVERNMENT

What they’ve promised: As part of the deal with the Nationals, the Liberals signed up to its royalties for regions scheme. Before the election, the Liberals said they would not force council amalgamations but local government minister John Castrilli did an about-turn afterwards, telling councils they had until August 31 to voluntarily amalgamate.

What they’ve delivered: The royalties scheme is up-and-running. Meanwhile, the local government reform agenda is in tatters after the government, faced with a revolt by the Nationals, backed away from the amalgamation threat.

Matt Birney's verdict: The country has come into vogue. It needed to. Royalties for regions has been well executed by Brendon Grylls. I hope they don't lose their nerve.

Harry Phillips' verdict: Forced amalgamations... were not likely to pass the parliament. Local government has been a portfolio where the direction of government has not been clear and decisive.

EDUCATION

What they’ve promised: An additional $300 million to build 14 new schools and $50 million extra for refurbishments. Extra money for behaviour management programs and school chaplains.

What they’ve delivered: Resolved the long-running teachers pay dispute, though this has also raised wage expectations in the rest of the public sector as the Government seeks to tighten its belt. Started the roll-out of more chaplains and psychologists. With a huge helping hand from a Federal Government stimulus package even more refurbishments of schools will be able to be done.

Matt Birney's verdict: There's been nothing so far of any great consequence. I know they've brought in more chaplains and psychologists but at some stage they have to come up with a solution (to managing disruptive students). I haven't seen a lot of action in that regard.

Harry Phillips' verdict: Mr Barnett sprung a surprise when he appointed Independent and educationalist Liz Constable to the portfolio. In Opposition former school teacher Peter Collier had capably handled the controversial domain. In Parliament, Dr Constable was not accustomed to being aggressively questioned by the opposition.