Mettam blasts ‘cowards in shadows’ amid leadership uncertainty

A motion proposing to install Perth mayor and TV personality Basil Zempilas as the party’s ‘campaign leader’ was comprehensively defeated.

Libby Mettam at Parliament House. Picture: Colin Murty

Western Australia’s embattled Liberal leader has held on to her position – at least for now – ahead of the March state ­election.

After growing frustrated with rumours about her leadership, Libby Mettam on Monday challenged her parliamentary colleagues to move a motion of no confidence against her.

While no one accepted that offer, her Treasury spokesman, Neil Thomson, put forward a motion proposing to make Basil Zempilas rather than Ms Mettam the party’s campaign leader.

That motion was defeated, with Mr Thomson subsequently stepping down from the party’s frontbench.

Ms Mettam was one of two lower-house Liberals elected in the calamitous 2021 state election, and has been leading the party since she replaced David Honey early last year.

Mr Zempilas, the City of Perth lord mayor and a ­prominent Seven West Media personality who is running for the party in the once-safe seat of Churchlands, has long been considered a future leader of the party.

City of Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas. Picture: Colin Murty

Some within the Liberal Party had been pushing for him to take on the leadership ­before, rather than after, the next state election in the hope his high profile would help secure the party the extra seats it needs to establish itself as a viable opposition.

Leaked polling suggesting that the party could win three more seats if Mr Zempilas took the helm prompted Ms Mettam to act.

Speaking after the partyroom meeting, Ms Mettam called on “the cowards in the shadows” to get behind her as leader and focus on the next election.

“I’m talking about the mischief that has been made behind the scenes, by sources who have no name,” she said.

“We need to focus on the issues that matter to West Australians. We are united as a party. There was no motion moved against my leadership, and that is the position we are here united on. We are focused on a failed government and a better future for WA.”

Mr Zempilas had previously said he would not challenge Ms Mettam’s leadership but did not rule out standing for the role if she resigned.

While the party’s constitution would appear to make it difficult if not impossible for someone not in the parliament to lead the party, others have cited the example of Campbell Newman leading the Liberal National Party to victory in Queensland when serving as the Brisbane lord mayor as an example of what could be done.

Roger Cook’s Labor government looks all but assured of a third term in power, given its dominant numbers and the struggles of the WA Liberal Party.

Ms Mettam said she still believed the party could win next March. “I appreciate we have a massive challenge ahead, but I am focused, we are united, and we have a government who have let West Australians down.”