WA Liberals’ only upper house female MLC to quit parliament

After 20 years in parliament, Liberal upper house MP and former Barnett Government minister Donna Faragher has decided to hang up her boots.

In a statement on Wednesday Faragher said she had advised Liberal leader Libby Mettam that she would not to recontest the 2025 state election.

Upper House Liberal Donna Faragher will not run at the 2025 state election.Credit: Nine News Perth

“At the conclusion of my current term in May 2025, I will be the longest serving member for the East Metropolitan Region across all political parties. 2025 will also mark my 20th year in state parliament,” she said.

Faragher will be the longest-serving woman to represent the WA Liberals when she retires next year.

Her departure will further reduce the female representation in the Liberal’s state parliamentary team with Mettam and Merome Beard, who only switched to the Liberals from the Nationals in November, the only other female Liberal MPs.

There are six male Liberal MPs in the upper house while Cottesloe MP David Honey makes for a total of seven.

Faragher was elected in 2005 at the age of 29.

She said she was the youngest Liberal woman to enter parliament and at the end of this term she would retire as the Liberal Party’s longest-serving female member in either house.

She said it was a particular privilege to serve as a minister and when she was given the environment and youth portfolios at the age of 33 she became the youngest woman in WA political history to become a minister.

She also served as minister for planning and disability services and was parliamentary secretary to former premier Colin Barnett.

“Most importantly, my commitment to the East Metropolitan Region has not wavered,” she said.

“I have lived my entire life in this region and since 2005, I have had the immense privilege of supporting so many community organisations, schools, local charities and constituents in many different ways and I will continue to do so until my last day in state parliament.”

Faragher said she would continue to play a role in the party as it headed toward the 2025 election.

Mettam said Faragher had a record of service and achievement that many would aspire to.

“Her selfless dedication to her ministerial roles marks her as a role model for aspiring politicians of
all persuasions,” she said.

“When she retires in May 2025, Donna will be the longest serving woman to represent the Liberal
Party in state parliament, an inspirational achievement grounded in an era when women in
parliament numbered considerably less than they do today.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.