2020 Western Australian Liberal Party leadership election explained

Flag Image:Liberal-Party-of-Australia-stub.svg
Election Date:24 November 2020
Previous Election:2019 Western Australian Liberal Party leadership election
Previous Year:2019t
Next Election:2021 Western Australian Liberal Party leadership election
Next Year:2021
Module:
Election Name:Leadership election
Embed:yes
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Vote Type:Caucus
Nominee1:Zak Kirkup
Colour1:080CAB
Popular Vote1:Unopposed
Percentage1:100%
1Data1:Dawesville
1Blank:Seat
2Blank:Faction
Leader
Before Election:Liza Harvey
After Election:Zak Kirkup
Module:
Election Name:Deputy leadership election
Embed:yes
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Vote Type:Caucus
Nominee1:Libby Mettam
Colour1:080CAB
Popular Vote1:Unopposed
Percentage1:100%
1Data1:Vasse
1Blank:Seat
2Blank:Faction
Deputy Leader
Before Election:Bill Marmion
After Election:Libby Mettam

The Western Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia held a leadership vote on 24 November 2020 to determine its leader. The election was conducted among Liberal Party members of the Parliament of Western Australia. It came after its previous leader, Liza Harvey, resigned following poor opinion polling. Deputy leader Bill Marmion also resigned on the same day. The main candidates touted ahead of the election were Dean Nalder, a member of parliament since 2013 and a minister in the Barnett Ministry, and Zak Kirkup, a member of parliament since 2017. Nalder declined to nominate for the leadership after it became clear he did not have the full support of the Liberal Party caucus. As a result, Kirkup won the leadership unopposed, becoming the state's leader of the opposition. Libby Mettam was elected unopposed as the deputy leader.

Background

The Liberal Party, led by Colin Barnett, lost the 2017 Western Australian state election in a landslide victory by Labor. From Barnett's resignation on 21 March 2017 to the 2020 leadership vote, the party has had two leaders: Mike Nahan, who resigned in June 2019, and Liza Harvey.[1] [2] [3]

In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Harvey called for Premier Mark McGowan to relax Western Australia's border restrictions with the rest of the country. At that point, Western Australia was almost virus free with only a few restrictions in place, one of which was the strict border controls.[4] She proposed that Western Australia first open up to South Australia and the Northern Territory, which McGowan said would be unconstitutional as it would be discriminating between states/territories.[5] Harvey's comments were heavily criticised, and a poll published by The West Australian showed that nine in ten Western Australians supported the government border.[6]

On 11 June, The West Australian published an opinion poll by Painted Dog Research which gave Harvey's approval rating as 19% and disapproval rating as 37%, compared to Premier McGowan's approval rating of 87%.[7] On 8 September, The West Australian published an opinion poll by Painted Dog Research which gave Harvey's approval rating at 10%, behind Premier McGowan's approval rating of 91%.[8] Utting Research released an opinion poll on 1 October which gave Harvey's previously safe seat of Scarborough a two-party-preferred vote of 66–34 in favour of the Labor Party.[9]

Leadership vote

On 22 November 2020, Harvey announced her resignation as leader of the Liberal Party and leader of the opposition. Dean Nalder and Zak Kirkup both stated their intention to nominate for the party's leadership. David Honey stated he would not nominate himself. Deputy leader Bill Marmion also resigned that day. A special partyroom meeting was called for 24 November for the voting to happen.[10] [11] [12]

Nalder was a 54-year old MP who had been in the Legislative Assembly since 2013, first for the seat of Alfred Cove and later for the seat of Bateman. He had been the minister for transport, minister for finance and minister for agriculture and food in the Barnett Government.[13] [14] Kirkup was a 33-year MP who had been in the Legislative Assembly since 2017, representing the marginal seat of Dawesville, which he won in 2017 by a margin of 0.9%.[15] [13] [14]

Ahead of the vote, Kirkup was favoured as he had the support of key powerbrokers Peter Collier and Nick Goiran, who helped him gain at least 12 votes. Nalder held support from the business community.[16] The West Australian newspaper reported on 24 November that Kirkup had the support of Harvey, Marmion, Collier, Steve Thomas, Libby Mettam, Goiran, Peter Katsambanis, Jim Chown, Tony Krsticevic, Tjorn Sibma and Michael Mischin; Nalder had the support of Kyran O'Donnell, John McGrath, Sean L'Estrange, Simon O'Brien, Nahan, Honey and Ken Baston; and Alyssa Hayden and Donna Faragher were undecided.[17]

At 9:00 am on 24 November, Nalder withdrew his nomination after it became apparent that he would not win. Kirkup won the leadership later that day unopposed. Mettam won the deputy leadership unopposed as well. At 33 years of age, Kirkup became the youngest person to lead the Liberal Party in Western Australia, and the second youngest person to ever be the leader of the opposition in Western Australia.[18] [19] [20]

Aftermath

On 1 December 2020, Nalder announced he would retire and not contest the 2021 state election. In his statement, he criticised the factional forces within the Liberal Party, who backed Kirkup over himself. He said that he could never become leader in the future as he did not have the backing of Collier and Goiran.[21] [22] Days later, he quit his shadow cabinet roles, including shadow treasurer.[23] [24] It was revealed in August 2021 that Collier and Goiran were using a group called "The Clan" to influence the election.[25]

At the 2021 state election on 13 March, the Liberal Party was left with just two seats in the Legislative Assembly. Kirkup's seat of Dawesville, Nalder's seat of Bateman, and Harvey's seat of Scarborough were won by the Labor Party.[26] A leadership vote occurred after that election to determine who should succeed Kirkup as leader, which Honey won.[27]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kagi . Jacob . WA Liberal leadership: Mike Nahan says party learned lessons of election decimation . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 21 March 2017 . 1 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200101013929/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-21/nahan-new-leader-of-wa-liberals-barnett-heads-to-backbench/8373222 . live .
  2. Web site: Shine . Rhiannon . Kagi . Jacob . Mike Nahan quits as WA Opposition Leader two years after landslide Liberal election loss . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 12 June 2019 . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082228/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-12/mike-nahan-quits-as-wa-opposition-leader-wa-liberal-party-leader/11204372 . live .
  3. Web site: Gubana . Benjamin . Shine . Rhiannon . O'Flaherty . Alisha . Liza Harvey becomes WA Opposition Leader after Mike Nahan quits as head of WA Liberals . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 13 June 2019 . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082243/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-13/liza-harvey-new-wa-opposition-leader-after-mike-nahan-quits/11205306 . live .
  4. Web site: Carmody . James . Row over coronavirus border closures escalates as WA Premier hits back at NSW with Ruby Princess jibe . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 20 May 2020 . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082230/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-20/wa-escalates-coronavirus-state-border-closure-row-with-nsw/12266628 . live .
  5. Web site: Laschon . Eliza . WA relaunches tourism campaign amid coronavirus pandemic, but hard border to stay . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 1 June 2020 . 1 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210501130435/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-01/wa-re-launches-internal-tourism-campaign-border-stays-closed/12306802 . live .
  6. Web site: Kagi . Jacob . Coronavirus WA border closure calls from Liza Harvey leave Liberals bewildered and confused . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 2 June 2020 . 25 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210425071537/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-02/liza-harvey-bewilders-liberal-mps-in-coronavirus-wa-border-row/12308934 . live .
  7. News: Harvey stuck on 19 percent as McGowan is flying high . The West Australian . 11 June 2020 . 1, 4.
  8. News: Law . Peter . Liza Close to Rock Bottom . The West Australian . 8 September 2020 . 1, 6.
  9. Web site: Zimmerman . Josh . WA Liberal Party leader Liza Harvey risks losing Scarborough seat as new polling reveals McGowan voter love . The West Australian . 7 May 2022 . 1 October 2020 . subscription . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082230/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/wa-liberal-party-leader-liza-harvey-risks-losing-scarborough-seat-as-new-polling-reveals-mcgowan-voter-love-ng-b881681758z . live .
  10. Web site: Kagi . Jacob . Weber . David . WA Opposition Leader Liza Harvey announces decision to step aside, citing Liberal Party election strategy . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 22 November 2020 . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082229/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-22/wa-opposition-leader-liza-harvey-quits-as-party-leader/12908696 . live .
  11. Web site: Ramsey . Michael . WA opposition leader Liza Harvey resigns . Mandurah Mail . 7 May 2022 . 22 November 2020 . Australian Associated Press . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082231/https://www.mandurahmail.com.au/story/7022969/wa-opposition-leader-liza-harvey-resigns/ . live .
  12. Web site: Cowan . Sean . Murray . Jordan . Harvey quits as opposition leader . Business News . 7 May 2022 . 22 November 2020 . 27 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201127023449/https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Harvey-quits-as-opposition-leader . live .
  13. Web site: Hondros . Nathan . Kirkup in box seat as leadership battle heats up ahead of party room meeting . WAtoday . 7 May 2022 . 23 November 2020 . 9 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201209141803/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/kirkup-in-box-seat-as-leadership-battle-heats-up-ahead-of-party-room-meeting-20201123-p56h3y.html . live .
  14. Web site: Mckenzie . Matt . Nalder, Kirkup head to head . Business News . 7 May 2022 . 23 November 2020 . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082250/https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Nalder-Kirkup-head-to-head . live .
  15. News: Law . Peter . Can a new leader get Libs Zak on track? . The West Australian . 23 November 2020 . 8–9.
  16. Web site: Zak Kirkup poised to become WA Liberals first Indigenous leader . National Indigenous Times . 7 May 2022 . 24 November 2020 . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082233/https://nit.com.au/zak-kirkup-poised-to-become-wa-liberals-first-indigenous-leader/ . live .
  17. News: Zimmerman . Josh . Guess Who's Got Votes . The West Australian . 24 November 2020 . 1, 6–7.
  18. Web site: Hondros . Nathan . de Kruijff . Peter . 'A game for fighters': Zak Kirkup is new WA Liberals leader . WAtoday . 7 May 2022 . 24 November 2020 . 16 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210316211615/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/liberals-to-choose-zak-kirkup-as-leader-as-dean-nalder-quits-race-20201124-p56hg1.html . live .
  19. Web site: Raphael . Angie . First-term MP becomes new WA Liberal Party leader months before state election . News.com.au . 7 May 2022 . 24 November 2020 . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082231/https://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/firstterm-mp-becomes-new-leader-of-the-wa-liberal-party-just-a-few-months-before-election/news-story/7cb5743e894bdae079a3ea0d9497711d . live .
  20. Web site: Blom . Amy . Meet the new leader of the WA Opposition . CGM Communications . 7 May 2022 . 27 November 2020 . 9 March 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220309223312/https://cgmcommunications.com.au/voice/meet-the-new-leader-of-the-wa-opposition-122 . live .
  21. Web site: Hastie . Hamish . 'It's not in my nature to play games': Dean Nalder quits politics . WAtoday . 7 May 2022 . 1 December 2020 . 7 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220507082231/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/it-s-not-in-my-nature-to-play-games-nalder-quits-politics-20201202-p56jqb.html . live .
  22. Web site: Kagi . Jacob . Dean Nalder, former Barnett government minister, to quit politics ahead of WA election . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 2 December 2020 . 27 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220227085612/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-02/dean-nalder-to-quit-politics-with-march-state-election-looming/12940572 . live .
  23. Web site: Rimrod . Fran . Hastie . Hamish . Dean Nalder quits shadow treasury just days after announcing retirement . WAtoday . 7 May 2022 . 5 December 2020 . 24 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201224072314/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/dean-nalder-quits-shadow-treasury-just-days-after-announcing-retirement-20201205-p56kx9.html . live .
  24. Web site: Law . Peter . Sean L'Estrange named as Dean Nalder's replacement as shadow treasurer in Zak Kirkup's new Liberal frontbench . The West Australian . 7 May 2022 . 7 December 2020 . 7 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201207114922/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/sean-lestrange-named-as-dean-nalders-replacement-as-shadow-treasurer-in-zak-kirkups-new-liberal-frontbench-ng-b881741306z . live .
  25. Web site: Zimmerman . Josh . Law . Peter . Leaked WhatsApp texts between WA Liberals group 'The Clan' expose Mathias Cormann, Peter Collier, Nick Goiran . The West Australian . 25 April 2023 . 20 August 2021 . subscription . 4 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230204071902/https://thewest.com.au/politics/liberal/leaked-whatsapp-texts-between-wa-liberals-group-the-clan-expose-mathias-cormann-peter-collier-nick-goiran-ng-b881976450z . live .
  26. Web site: Western Australia Election 2021 Results . ABC News . 7 May 2022 . 11 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220211060348/https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wa/2021/results?filter=all&sort=az . live .
  27. Web site: Raphael . Angie . David Honey appointed new WA Liberals leader after party's state election wipe-out . News.com.au . 7 May 2022 . 23 March 2021 . 14 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210414030259/https://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/david-honey-to-be-new-leader-of-the-wa-liberals-after-a-state-election-wipe-out-of-the-party/news-story/43188d4f43135e78dd44b751dae10284 . live .

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