Colin Barnett has described moves by prominent Western Australian business figures to commission an opinion poll that reflected poorly on his leadership as being akin to a silent coup.
“Can I first say the attempt by various business leader to interfere in a government and to take it upon themselves to appoint a premier is almost a silent coup,” Mr Barnett told ABC radio today.
“It is the people of this state who decide the premier in this state, not a few wealthy individuals.”
The poll of more than 10,000 voters was commissioned by a group including investment banker John Poynton and property developers Nigel Satterley and Greg Poland.
It found low support for Mr Barnett and indicated the government would lose office at the election in March next year if he continued as leader.
The poll has been criticised as a form of ‘push polling’, in which the questions are designed to achieve a certain outcome.
Mr Barnett said he was very distressed about the poll and supported further inquiries into the episode.
“I think anyone who was involved in that would be very, very wise to basically fess up and admit it and I need to make sure that there is not only no conflict but there is no compromise of government decision-making, financial contracts,” he said.
“That’s my concern right now.
“I’ve brought it to the attention of the Department of Premier and Cabinet and what will happen will happen, but I don’t think you can just let that go.”
Mr Barnett also defended his decision to not sack Transport and Agriculture Minister Dean Nalder, who was given the poll results before the premier but did not share the findings.
“I’m a fair person I think — Dean assured me he wasn’t involved in that,” he said.
“I’m not happy, but I’m also fair about it. I know some of my colleagues are not happy that I didn’t barge in there and sack somebody.”
Mr Barnett said there was no indication Mr Nalder breached the ministerial code of conduct.
