Defection spurs Mettam leadership prospects

Liberal Party WA leader Libby Mettam has refused to be drawn on mounting speculation she will seek to become the state’s opposition leader in the wake of North West Central MP Merome Beard’s defection from The Nationals WA.

Ms Beard, who won the North West Central seat last year after the retirement of former Nationals MP Vince Catania, fronted media for the first time alongside Ms Libby Mettam on Wednesday.

The Carnarvon pub owner’s defection to the Liberals now means the National and Liberal parties hold three seats each in the lower house.

The Liberals hold more upper house seats, but this does not formally come into play when deciding on opposition leadership.

Fronting the media on Wednesday morning, Ms Mettam batted away repeated questions around her intentions to claim the opposition leader title.

“We will continue our discussions with the National Party in good faith as we have enjoyed going forward,” Ms Mettam said.

“I will not be distracted by job titles but I am willing and ready to lead the opposition.

“Our focus is on calling a poor government to account … and also presenting as an alternative to govern at the lead up to the 2025 election.”

She said the defection was not unprecedented nor had it destabilised the opposition alliance with the Nationals.

Ms Mettam also revealed she was yet to speak with opposition leader Shane Love amid claims Ms Beard had dumped her former party via text.

When pressed on this, Ms Beard declined to comment.

Ms Beard said the likely axing of her seat in an electoral redistribution, which could see her square up against Mr Love in a sprawling Mid West-Gascoyne seat in 2025, was a reality she had to face.

“My whole reason for joining the Liberal Party is because I want to be able to continue to represent people on the ground,” she said.

“The people on the ground in my electorate have been asking me to consider alternatives because they feel more uncomfortable with the fact that they may not have representation.

“For my constituents, having a formidable government in 2025 and actually being able to have a seat at that table to voice the concerns that have been frustrating for my region for so long is important.”

Ms Beard and Ms Mettam both said no sweeteners had been promised as part of the move.

Premier Roger Cook said the switch showed the Liberal and National parties were not fit to govern.

"This is obviously a mess of their own making. Who knows where this goes from here?" he said.