WA opposition leadership up for grabs after Nats defection

The Liberals and Nationals will now each hold three lower house seats, opening the door for Liberal leader Libby Mettam to become opposition leader.

Opposition leader Shane Love and Liberal leader Libby Mettam. Ms Mettam could now push to be the new opposition leader following the shock defection of Merome Beard.

A shock defection could threaten the Nationals’ status as the official opposition party of Western Australia’s parliament and risks undermining the party’s delicate alliance with the Liberals.

Lower house MP Merome Beard on Halloween evening formally informed WA opposition leader Shane Love that she was resigning from the Nationals. Ms Beard has now joined the Liberals, meaning the two parties will now each hold three lower house seats.

The even numbers opens the door for Liberal leader Libby Mettam – one of only two Liberals elected to the WA legislative assembly in the 2021 state election rout – to push to be recognised as opposition leader.

Such a move would secure her and her party a greater share of parliamentary resources and further boost her profile in the lead-up to the 2025 state election.

Ms Beard was only elected to parliament last year, after a by-election for the seat of North West Central triggered by the retirement of long-serving MP Vince Catania.

Merome Beard, who has just quit the Nationals. Picture - Facebook

Mr Love issued a statement on Tuesday night confirming Ms Beard’s resignation.

“Just over a year ago, dedicated members of The Nationals WA from all corners of the state worked tirelessly, raised funds, and contributed significantly to elect Ms Beard as a member of the state parliament under The Nationals WA banner,” Mr Love said.

“Tonight, I share their disappointment. The Nationals WA remains committed to the people of the North West and ensuring the Cook Labor Government is removed from power in 2025.”

In a statement released on Wednesday morning, Ms Mettam said Ms Beard’s values aligned closely with those of the Liberal Party.

“The Liberals and the Nationals have a long history of working collaboratively in both Opposition and in Government and I expect that will continue going forward,” she said.

“In any political alliance, there is always compromise and change and Merome’s decision is not unprecedented. We have proven we can continue to work together despite past sitting members switching parties and I believe we will continue to work cooperatively to present as a strong alternative to the current out-of-touch Cook Labor Government.”

Libby Mettam managed to retain her seat of Vasse in the WA election, but most of her Liberal colleagues were dumped. Picture: Facebook

Ms Beard’s seat of North West Central is set to be abolished under boundary changes proposed by the WA Electoral Commission. The electorate will be amalgamated with Mr Love’s seat of Moore.

Her defection means she will be able to go head-to-head with her former leader for the new seat in 2025.

The Liberals and Nationals have been in protracted discussions about the best approach to the opposition leader matter but have so far been unable to reach any agreement.

The Nationals already risk losing much of their presence in WA’s upper house after the Labor government used its dominant numbers to dismantle the previous system that gave regional voters greater representation in the Legislative Council.

One idea raised by the Nationals had been for a joint upper house ticket.

Ms Mettam said the party would continue talking to the Nationals about the best way forward.

“I understand Merome’s decision will inevitably raise questions around the Leader of the Opposition status. Those discussions are ongoing but the WA Liberal Party remains committed to the Opposition Alliance,” she said.

“My focus as leader of the WA Liberal Party will continue to be holding the Cook Labor Government to account for its continued mismanagement and failures in health, housing, law and order and escalating cost-of-living pressures.”