New WA Liberal leader Paul Omodei plans to take his time in unveiling his new shadow Cabinet, which will be boosted with the addition of two new members to match the 17-member Carpenter front bench.
New WA Liberal leader Paul Omodei plans to take his time in unveiling his new shadow Cabinet, which will be boosted with the addition of two new members to match the 17-member Carpenter front bench.
Mr Omodei said he would be asking his defeated rival Matt Birney to join his front bench.
He said planned to lead an "inclusive" team and wanted to bring back stability to the opposition.
"The Liberal brand requires strong leadership," Mr Omodei said.
The margin of the win was not yet known.
Mr Birney said he was considering his future in politics.
"I am considering a long-standing job offer in the corporate sector and also consdiering going back into business for myself," he said.
He stated that he would not be serving on Mr Omodei's front bench.
Mr Birney's defeat as state Liberal leader comes a little after one year as opposition leader during which he suffered from a number of personal and strategic mistakes.
The leadership spill followed the sacking of Sue Walker from the front bench after she accused Mr Birney of not consulting his fellow parliamentarians.
The Liberal in-fighting has distracted attention from the State Government's own problems with Police minister John D'Orazio who has been under scrutiny for his business and local council activities.
Earlier today, WA Business News political correspondent Joe Poprzeczny reported from Parliament House that Mr Birney's camp is surprised and devastated at the result.
Mr Birney has delayed his response to the decision until 1pm.
"Matt Birney is so stunned at the outcome he wants a few hours to think through himself, " Poprzeczny said.
Commenting on the demise of Mr Birney and rise of Mr Omodei, Poprzeczny said: "I believe the Liberals have put themselves in a position similar to Labor federally when they voted Simon Crean as leader."
"I don't expect Omodei to last long and I don't expect him to be very inspiring."
Poprzeczny's prediction is that another leadership battle will occur within the next year or so, with former leader Colin Barnett and up-and-comer Troy Buswell being the likely contenders.
Another media commentator, former 6PR morning host Paul Murray told WA Business News that while Mr Omodei may steady the ship for the short-term, it did not expect him to be contesting the next election.
Murray said that the Liberal party would be looking to prepare Troy Buswell for the position but he doubted that another former leader, Colin Barnett, would be staging a comeback.
