WA election 2025: Libby Mettam leaves door open to leadership change, says party must back successor to 2029

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WA election 2025: Libby Mettam leaves door open to leadership change, says party must back successor to 2029

Libby Mettam has left the door open to leadership change in the Liberal Party, appearing resigned on Sunday to handing the reins over to a newcomer.

Speaking to media on Sunday after a third-straight electoral thumping, Ms Mettam said the leadership was up to the parliamentary party, but stressed whoever was chosen after the election needed to hold the role all the way to 2029.

“I will be talking to my colleagues. There is no doubt leadership speculation at the beginning of the campaign had a destabilising effect,” she said.

“Whoever the leader is going into the 2029 election, they need four years to work as a leader, to build momentum in the community, and to have the support of the Liberal Party going forward as well.

“It is important that the leader has the support of the Liberal Party team, and it is important that whoever the leader is going forward is the leader going into the 2029 election, and and it is important that my colleagues make that decision.”

Asked if she was resigned to handing over the leadership, Ms Mettam said: “This cannot be about me.”

“This is about ensuring that that leader, whoever it is, has clear air in the lead up to the 2029 election. That is what the Liberal Party needs. That’s what the people of Western Australia needs.”

It came as Basil Zempilas on Sunday ruled out “rash” decisions in the wake of the election result, saying questions of leadership change cannot be answered until the complete picture is clear.

Camera Icon‘Not a time for anything rash’: Basil Zempilas. Credit: Danella Bevis/The West ***********

Praising Ms Mettam’s work as “herculean”, Mr Zempilas said he expected to form part of the Liberals’ leadership team after his narrow election as the new Churchlands MP.

Mr Zempilas said talk of leadership change after a poor showing from the Liberals was too early.

“This is not a time for anything rash. This is not a time for haste,” he said in a radio interview.

“We should wait and see what this full picture of this result is, and then digest it fully then and and that includes Libby.

“Today’s not the day for any decisions about anybody’s future. We need to properly understand what this result is before those contemplations.”

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