Liza Harvey says she's not going to hang Ian Blayney out to dry after his decision to join the Nationals. Photo: Gabriel Oliveira

Liza Harvey declines to criticise Ian Blayney

Wednesday, 24 July, 2019 - 13:26
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Opposition leader Liza Harvey has declined to criticise Ian Blayney after the former Liberal Party WA member announced his intention to join The Nationals WA.

Mr Blayney had recently lost his agricultural portfolio in a cabinet reshuffle, and said in a statement that working with the Nationals would best serve the electorate of Geraldton.

"I would like to be part of a team that prioritises our regional communities and their future," he said.

"This decision has not been easy, and I acknowledge that it will disappoint my Liberal Party colleagues and some members of the community.

"I greatly appreciate the faith the people of Geraldton have placed in me over the past three elections and the support I have received as their local member and I look forward to continuing the hard work that has earned me this support."

With Mr Blayney’s departure, the Liberals now hold only 13 seats in the Legislative Assembly, and the Nationals either five or six depending on whether Mr Blayney is accepted into the party.

Mr Blayney's portfolios have also been reassigned, with Aboriginal affairs going to Zak Kirkup, lands going to David Honey and fisheries to Jim Chown.

Responding to comments outside parliament this morning, Ms Harvey said she was disappointed in Mr Blayney’s decision, but that she respected it and would continue to work with him in the interest of his electorate

“I bare him no ill will at all,” Ms Harvey said.

Emphasising her working relationship with the Nationals’ Mia Davies, Ms Harvey went on to say she had a strong friendship with Mr Blayney, and that he had expressed support for her in a private meeting this morning.

“He has given me an undertaking this morning that he 100 per cent supports me in my role as leader of the Liberal Party and that he hopes to see me as premier in 2021,” she said.

“I would prefer he was on my team, and I’m disappointed he’s chosen to leave the Liberal Party, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to … hang him out to dry.

“That’s not the way I work, and I will never operate that way.”

Ms Harvey repeatedly declined to criticise Mr Blayney, playing down the impact of defections by citing John Bowler and Vince Catania as members who had in the past defected to support the Nationals.

When asked whether she thought Mr Blayney was a “rat”, Ms Harvey again declined to be drawn on the criticism.

“You’re not going to hear me saying anything like that about Ian Blayney,” she said.

Despite her reticence to criticise Mr Blayney, Ms Harvey didn’t rule out the Liberal Party challenging him in the 2021 election, saying the party intended to contest every regional electorate with a view to winning.

Asked by Business News whether the Liberals would accept Mr Blayney back should the Nationals reject him, Ms Harvey was firm in saying his decision had been made.

“Ian had said to me in our conversation this morning that whether he’s a National or an independent, he remains 100 per cent behind me and supports me and hopes to see me successful as the next premier,” she said.

“I take him at his word.”