Libby Mettam open to handing star Liberal recruits prominent spokesperson roles during 2025 election campaign

Liberal Leader Libby Mettam will consider allocating spokesperson roles to candidates at the 2025 election, opening the door to star recruits like Sandra Brewer and Basil Zempilas assuming more prominent campaign responsibilities. The demotion of Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Steve Thomas over his contact with fallen former premier Brian Burke has forced Ms Mettam to shuffle her shadow ministry. That process is expected to be completed by Friday, with Ms Mettam refusing to rule out Dr Thomas remaining on the frontbench – although she made it clear his senior portfolios would not be returned. With conservative powerbroker and Clan member Nick Goiran already banished to the backbench, Ms Mettam faces a headache trying to juggle portfolios – especially Dr Thomas’ energy and treasury – amongst her modest team of nine. Asked on Wednesday whether she would consider turning to candidates at the next election to act as spokespeople for some portfolios, Ms Mettam said there were a “number of matters” she needed to consider “over the coming days”. “Obviously, we have a great number of candidates with a range of experience as well,” Ms Mettam said. “Their first job will be to ensure that they are supported and preselected by their Liberal communities. “The next priority will be to win the support of their local communities. “But quite clearly, we have a number of candidates who have much to offer when it comes to being part of the parliamentary Liberal team and also being part of the team that we present in the lead up to 2025.” Appointing a candidate from outside Parliament — especially one with a high profile — as a spokesperson for a particular policy area would allow Ms Mettam to spread the workload. The WA Liberals are midway through the preselection process for the seats the party views as most winnable at the next election. Ms Brewer – the former executive director of Property Council WA – has already been confirmed as the candidate for ultrasafe Cottesloe, the seat currently held by former leader David Honey. Mr Zempilas, the Perth Lord Mayor and an employee of Seven West Media, was on Wednesday confirmed as the sole candidate for Churchlands. Local preselectors – as well as Liberal State Council – must still endorse his candidacy but that process is considered a formality. In South Perth, around 80 delegates will gather on Wednesday evening to pick their preferred candidate from a trio of hopefuls: lawyers Hayley Cormann and Bronwyn Waugh and local mayor Greg Milner. Both Mr Zempilas and Ms Brewer have extensive advocacy and public speaking experience while Ms Cormann – wife of former Federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann – is already being touted as a future Attorney-General. However, Ms Cormann will need to navigate a tricky preselection this evening in which she starts as slight favourite but with both Mr Milner and Ms Waugh viewed internally as credible alternatives. Ms Mettam was on Wednesday forced to bat away questions about her authority over her party colleagues in the wake of the widening Burke controversy. In addition to Dr Thomas’ interactions with Mr Burke, on Tuesday it emerged Upper House MP Tjorn Sibma responded to an email from the former premier – one of his constituents – in which he wrote he was welcome to contact him to discuss “electoral, legislative or policy” matters. Ms Mettam said the saga had “absolutely not” eroded her standing and she was not concerned about being replaced by Mr Zempilas ahead of the next election. “I’m confident in my leadership,” Ms Mettam said. “I’ve taken swift action. I have illustrated the standard that I expect of my team going forward and my resolve to call the Cook Labor Government to account, as well as pursue issues such as Brian Burke profiting from Cook Labor Government grants.”