Kalgoorlie MP Matt Birney, who is expected to succeed Colin Barnett as state leader of the Liberal Party, has racked up many firsts in his 35 years.
Kalgoorlie MP Matt Birney, who is expected to succeed Colin Barnett as state leader of the Liberal Party, has racked up many firsts in his 35 years.
As a teenager, he was the youngest company representative with auto parts supplier Coventry Group, he was the youngest elected executive on the Kalgoorlie Boulder Chamber of Commerce and, in 2001, he was the youngest Opposition spokesman in any parliament in Australia.
However, another first is likely to attract more interest from the Gallop government.
Last year, Mr Birney was the first and only coalition MP to “cross the floor” and vote with the government on its contentious energy reforms.
His ascension to the leadership will encourage Labor to revive its plans for a four-way break-up of Western Power, into separate generation, transmission, retail and regional businesses.
Former Liberal leader Colin Barnett vigorously opposed the Government’s proposals, pushing instead for a more cautious pace of change.
In the area of social policy Mr Birney is seen as a hardline conservative, opposing legal recognition of same-sex couples and Native Title, backing mandatory detention and criticising “bleeding hearts” in the welfare lobby.
When Mr Birney announced his intention to stand for the leadership this week he said his leadership style would be forthright, decisive and consultative.
He also said he would bring the “average bloke syndrome” to politics.
Mr Birney said he could unify the Liberal Party, which has been unsettled in recent years by leadership tension.
“I believe I can bridge the gap between the various personalities in the Liberal Party,” he said.
Mr Birney also dismissed reports that former senator Noel Crichton-Browne had played a kingmaker role.
“I’m nobody’s man but mine,” he said. “I haven’t seen Noel for about two-and-a-half years…….nor have I rung him nor have I sought his counsel.”
Mr Birney, who is young and single, acknowledged that he would need to make changes to his personal life.
“There is no doubt, if you become leader of a political party, you have to make changes to the way you operate, you have to make changes to your personal life, I guess that’s a given.”
However, he also argues that by the time of the next state election, he will be close to 40 years of age and will have nearly 20 years experience in business and politics.
He was elected to state parliament in 2001, defying the state-wide support for Labor in order to snare the traditionally safe Labor seat of Kalgoorlie.
Ten months later he was promoted to the Opposition front bench with the high profile police portfolio.
Prior to entering state politics, Mr Birney had a successful career in small business.
At the age of 21, he and business partner Darral Black co-founded Goldfields Auto Spares, which has grown from scratch to having annual turnover of several million dollars.
He also established an Essential Earth skin care franchise and set up a business providing small commercial premises for tradesmen.
In recognition of his business success, Mr Birney was a winner in WA Business News’ 40under40 awards in 2003.
