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  • 7 months ago
WA Liberal Leader Libby Mettam has stepped down from the top job, less than a fortnight after her party's crushing defeat to Labor in the State Election. It comes as no surprise given the pressure from within the party to install Perth Lord Mayor and media personality Basil Zempilas into the role, prior to him being elected as the Member for Chuchlands.

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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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