Basil Zempilas is set to become the WA Liberal Party’s new leader as Libby Mettam reveals she will not seek re-election to the role following the party’s heavy election defeat.
Basil Zempilas is almost certain to become the WA Liberal Party’s new leader as Libby Mettam reveals she will not seek re-election to the role following the party’s heavy election defeat.
Ms Mettam on Thursday told her party she no longer had the support of her party and would therefore not put her hand up to hold onto the top job when it goes to a vote on Tuesday.
It is widely expected Mr Zempilas will be the only candidate to put his hand up for the role.
He is one of at least six Liberal MPs elected to parliament. No lower house members aside from Ms Mettam were around prior to the election.
Ms Mettam said leadership speculation prior to the election had damaged the party's efforts during the campaign.
"While I take responsibility for our result it is very clear that the constant and ongoing leadership speculation and destabilisation in late 2024 was a significant contributing factor to our outcome," she said.
"Labor capitalised on our leadership instability over the past eight years to their advantage.
"Whoever we select as our leader must be supported through to the 2029 election."
Ms Mettam said she would seek the position of deputy party leader.
Newly elected Cottesloe MP Sandra Brewer and Carine MP Liam Staltari were among high profile candidates to win seats for the party, but are not expected to put their names forward for leadership.
There is little chance the position would go to an upper house MP, despite the party having experienced members such as Nick Goiran and Steve Martin in that house.
Mr Zempilas only narrowly won Churchlands in the March state election.
The seat was expected to be a walk-over for the party but ultimately recorded one of the smallest swings in favour of the Liberal Party in the state.
That was largely due to strong support for independent candidate Lisa Thornton.
Preferences are set to be counted in the final undecided seats today, which could deliver the Liberal Party up to five more seats.
The most likely scenario is for the Liberal Party to pick up two more - Albany and Kalamunda.
