Feds warn their WA Liberal colleagues: ‘Stop being selfish over leadership’

WA Liberals have been told to “stop being selfish” and think of the Federal election, as fears grow within party ranks that another ugly leadership stoush between Libby Mettam and Basil Zempilas will cost Peter Dutton dearly at the May poll. With the WA Liberals due to vote for a leader and deputy in the next fortnight, Federal Liberals fear a leadership spat between the arch-rivals — and ongoing tensions between their respective supporters — will take oxygen out of the Federal campaign. One senior Federal Liberal source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, yesterday delivered a brutal message to the WA Liberal MPs. “They (WA Liberals) need to stop being selfish and start thinking about the Federal election,” the source said. “WA Liberals were given clear air to do what they needed not do in the State election. They now need to show the same respect to the Federal team. “This is no longer about them (WA Liberals). It’s about the people of WA and getting rid of a Government that will impact the prosperity of this great State.” With Anthony Albanese now committed to a May Federal poll, the unofficial election campaign has already started — the Prime Minister visiting Perth last week and Mr Dutton due to visit this week. Sources say Mr Dutton’s Liberals winning back Curtin and Tangney — plus the new seat of Bullwinkel — are vital if the Coalition is to win back office. In the after-wash of another disastrous State election for the WA Liberal Party — who look like winning just eight out of 59 seats in the Legislative Assembly — the leadership of Libby Mettam is under renewed scrutiny. WA Liberal Party parliamentary secretary Steve Martin on Saturday said “every position” — including that of leader — would be declared vacant when the Liberals met in the next fortnight. “The Liberal Party room will meet when the WA Electoral Commission has completed the counting of votes and it becomes clear who is entitled to attend,” Mr Martin said. “At that first party-room meeting, as is always the case, every position will be declared vacant. “This is the usual process and will occur at the earliest possible time that allows regional members to make travel arrangements and get to Perth.” Prior to last Saturday’s election, Ms Mettam told The Sunday Times that win or lose, she was “comfortable” in her leadership. Just before leaving Perth earlier this week to spend time with her daughter and grandchild on the east coast, Ms Mettam said that whoever was leader after the Caucus meeting needed surety that they would be in that position for the next four years. She has not yet publicly said whether she will put her hand up to remain leader when the party meets. “Consideration of leadership should be done respectfully between colleagues and not played out publicly through the media,” Ms Mettam said on Saturday. “I will continue to consult my colleagues.” Supporters of Mr Zempilas unsuccessfully tried to overthrow Ms Mettam just before Christmas last year. It’s understood the newly-elected Liberal member for Churchlands will put his hand up for the leadership when Caucus meets. Sources close to Mr Zempilas say the former Perth Lord Mayor wants to avert an ugly leadership stoush. It’s understood he will try and meet with Ms Mettam prior to the Caucus meeting to discuss the leadership. It’s also understood he wants Ms Mettam as his deputy — if the party room elects him leader. Federal sources fear if both Mr Zempilas and Ms Mettam contest the leadership, it will trigger distracting public debate. “My position is unchanged,” Mr Zempilas said on Saturday. “It’s not appropriate to have these discussions until such time as we know the final make-up of our team.” It’s understood Federal MPs have suggested to their WA colleagues that a vote on the leadership should be put off until after the May election. “No one in the Federal team wants a fight, they want a simple resolution to the leadership,” a WA Liberal source said. “But that resolution can’t wait till after the Federal election.”

Feds warn their WA Liberal colleagues: ‘Stop being selfish over leadership’

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