00:00The concession speech no leader wants to make.
00:06It is very clear that my colleagues were seeking a new direction of the Liberal Party going
00:11forward and I certainly respect that position.
00:14The Member for Vass confirming her decision after speaking with colleagues in the wake
00:19of the disastrous election result.
00:21I won't go into private conversations but what I think is clear is that there is an
00:26appetite for a new direction and new leadership which I respect.
00:31Instead Ms Metham is seeking election as the party's deputy leader alongside her replacement.
00:37Unsurprisingly there's only one person putting up their hand.
00:41Yes I'm happy to declare that I will put my name forward.
00:45I'm not aware of anyone else putting up their hand but the reason that I have made this
00:50decision public now is that now that I have come to this conclusion it is important that
00:56it does not remain secret.
00:58Ms Metham successfully challenged David Honey for the top job in 2023.
01:04The reality is the team has not been as effective as it should have been.
01:09For over two years she found herself in the unique situation as Liberal leader not opposition
01:15leader because the Nationals held more seats.
01:18She survived a bid to oust her less than four months out from the election after leaked
01:22polling showed the Liberals' primary vote could be 7% higher with Ms Desemplis as leader.
01:28Ms Metham stood firm in the lead up to the poll but acknowledged it would be a David
01:33and Goliath battle.
01:35The party has so far only picked up six lower house seats with counting still underway.
01:40Slightly better than the two the Liberals secured in 2021.
01:44I have done everything I believe, you know, I have thought in the best interest of the
01:50party and importantly in the best interest of the state.
01:53Ms Metham acknowledging her family's support.
01:56Thank you, thank you.
01:58Falling on her sword while hoping for a fresh start.
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