Vasse’s Libby Mettam delivered a speech to WA’s new Parliament reflecting on changes seen after State election

Vasse’s returning member delivered her first speech to Parliament last week, reflecting on the changes seen after the State election. Former WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam spoke to the 42nd Parliament of Western Australia on April 9, thanking her supporters, embracing her position as Deputy Leader of the Opposition and welcoming her return to previously held shadow ministry positions. Despite reclaiming her seat with a huge margin less than two weeks earlier, Mrs Mettam resigned as the Liberal Party leader, allowing Churchlands MP Basil Zempilas to take the reigns of party leadership. “It was a privilege to serve as the Liberal Party leader, but can I also place on the record my congratulations to my colleague the member for Churchlands, who I support and will continue to support in my role as Deputy Leader of the Opposition,” she said. In her speech, Mrs Mettam gave her thanks to those who supported her through the election trail, giving her gratitude to staff, volunteers, voters and her family. “Although the March 2025 election delivered an historically significant 18 per cent swing against the Government, it did not translate into the Liberal Party of WA gaining the number of seats that we had hoped,” she said. “However, the election result did tell us that a lot of people are getting tired of the government spin we have seen over the last four years.” She said each of her fellow members in the chamber are only there because of the support of their communities. “I am grateful for the support of the residents and electors of the Vasse community who again put their trust in me to represent them in this place,” she said. “I will continue to fight for a fair share of government resources and services for this growing community.” Mrs Mettam highlighted the expansion of the Busselton Margaret River Airport spearheaded by the previous Liberal–National government, which she said had been an outstanding success despite the predictions in 2018 by the then Labor government. “The Labor government has never supported this project,” she said. “One of the first moves of the newly appointed Labor government was to remove the funding for the terminal that was put in place under the previous Liberal–National government. “Eight years on, it still is not being supported by the State Government.” Mrs Mettam said she was also “pleased” to be returning to her previous positions as shadow minister for health, mental health, prevention of family and domestic violence as well as the new roles of defence industries and AUKUS. “My return to the roles of the shadow minister representing the portfolios of health and mental health underscores a commitment from this side to improving health facilities and services in not only my electorate, but also across the State,” she said. “We have much work to undertake on behalf of the people of Western Australia to build trust and support across the State.”