Rhiannon Shine

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Rhiannon Shine

In news that should shock absolutely no-one, newly minted Churchlands MP and "Perthonality" Basil Zempilas has been appointed the WA Liberal Party's new leader. The question now is whether he can help lift the party out of the doldrums and into a competitive position for 2029, after three consecutive election thrashings. There are many within the party who believe he can. "I think Baz is the right person," former leader Zak Kirkup said.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Rhiannon Shine

After a gruelling two years as leader of Australia’s most depleted Liberal party, Libby Mettam is making way for the man who has been lurking behind her the whole time. Ms Mettam announced she would be stepping down as party leader on Thursday after conceding she did not have enough support from her colleagues to stay in the role. Unsurprisingly, incoming Churchlands MLA Basil Zempilas soon confirmed the worst kept secret in town — that he would be nominating for the leadership.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Rhiannon Shine |Courtney Withers

Current WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam has announced she will not seek re-election as leader of the party, following widespread speculation she would step down. In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, Ms Mettam thanked her colleagues for their support. "I made a commitment to consult my colleagues before making a decision on my continued leadership," Ms Mettam said. "I thank my colleagues for their public support and their considered advice to me.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Rhiannon Shine

A radical shake-up of the WA government has left even the state's new health minister uncertain about where the buck stops. Premier Roger Cook took many by surprise on Tuesday when he revealed first-time minister Meredith Hammat would be handed the perennially complex and challenging health portfolio. He said his government would take a more team-like approach to health, with the creation of the new portfolios of health infrastructure, preventative health, and aged care.

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Keane Bourke |Rhiannon Shine

WA Labor's Simone McGurk has claimed victory in seat of Fremantle, but her independent challenger Kate Hulett says it's too early to declare the race over. As of 6pm on Friday, Ms McGurk was 491 votes ahead of Ms Hulett on a two-party preferred basis. At about 6:20pm, WA Labor posted on social media declaring "it's official, Simone McGurk has been re-elected as the member for Fremantle". But Ms Hulett's team issued a statement shortly after, claiming the call was premature.