Zempilas adamant Stokes, Rinehart have no influence over his leadership

New WA Liberal leader Basil Zempilas has revealed his employment with media giant Seven West Media ended earlier this month after being grilled on the nature of his relationship with its major shareholder Kerry Stokes and fellow billionaire Gina Rinehart.

The prominent media personality, who began his broadcast career with Seven more than 30 years ago, confirmed he was no longer on the company’s payroll as of last month.

Basil Zempilas is the new opposition leader in WA.Credit: Hamish Hastie

But he would continue to pen a weekly “Ten Things” column he has filed for The West Australian since 2019, and which has appeared alongside an entry from Labor Treasurer Rita Saffioti since December.

Zempilas said there would be no fee for this column, nor for appearances on Channel 7’s Sunrise program.

“Libby Mettam writes a column in The West Australian, but is not an employee of Seven West Media. Rita Saffioti writes a column in The West Australian,” he said.

“To the best of my knowledge, she is not an employee of Seven West Media, but perhaps you could ask them.”

When quizzed about his relationships with media mogul Kerry Stokes and Rinehart – who he has previously MCed events for – and whether they would have any bearing on his new role, Zempilas said: “None. Kerry Stokes was the major shareholder and owner [of Seven West Media] for almost all of the time I was employed there.

“It was an employer/employee relationship, and I don’t expect anything from that relationship will enter into my new role.

“In regards to Mrs Rinehart, I’ve attended a number of functions that she’s been at, but to suggest that our relationship is anything other than somebody high profile in Perth who might MC events or be at public functions ... with that person – to suggest that anything beyond that would be inaccurate.”

Zempilas’ wife Amy entered into a paid partnership with Rinehart’s boot company Rossi boots last year, but WAtoday understands she is no longer on the company’s payroll.

Pressed about whether he had spoken to Stokes about his elevation to Liberal leader, Zempilas said he hadn’t.

“I understand he is away,” he said.

Zempilas’ relationship with the media empire and its billionaire owner has long been a topic of consternation.

The Churchlands MP confirmed speculation about his bid for higher office with The West Australian in January 2024, revealing he first discussed the idea with Stokes after the company’s annual charity event Telethon in October 2023.

In December, the Independent Media Council upheld three complaints from Zempilas’ mayoral opponent against Seven West Media, which was found to have given them unfair and imbalanced coverage during the 2023 City of Perth election.

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