Nationals WA defend taking on Libby Mettam in Vasse as rumours swirl of no candidate pick

The looming battle for the Lower House seat of Vasse is an example of the dysfunction stopping the State’s major parties fielding a credible Opposition, a leading pollster says.

The Nationals WA are expected to announce their candidate to take on incumbent MP and Liberal Party leader Libby Mettam at the end of the month.

PollBludger analyst William Bowe said a lack of Opposition MPs in Parliament, in-fighting within the Nationals, and the two parties’ inability to work together as a former Coalition meant the fight for Vasse could serve as a litmus test overall for next year’s State election.

“They add up to them not being competitive at the next election,” he said.

“The question seems to be only how many seats they can win back.”

The analyst said in the absence of formal polling — which would come closer to the 2025 election — early indicators had Labor leading the race.

Responding to questions from the Times, both parties declined to bite on whether their inability to work together was a significant obstacle to claiming electoral victory next year.

Nationals WA president Julie Freeman dismissed questions about the Nationals running candidates in Liberal-friendly seats as strategically unwise.

She told the Times the party was doubling down on its electoral strategy despite the reported concerns.

“The Nationals WA are committed to fielding strong local champions across all regional electorates, and in an historic move, we will also be running candidates in the metropolitan region for the first time,” she said.

“The Nationals WA and the Liberal Party are in a Parliamentary alliance, ensuring we hold the Cook Labor Government to account on issues like health, housing, and the cost-of-living crisis.

“Both our parties are united in our goal of removing this arrogant and out-of-touch Cook Labor Government at the 2025 State election.”

The Nationals’ pick for Vasse would be one of the last announced after a conference in Bunbury at the end of August, despite confirmation of candidates in other seats released already.

For her part, Ms Mettam said the Liberals were “completely focused” on holding Labor to account “for a health system in crisis, an exodus of police, and surging violent crime rates”.

“As is our longstanding practice, the Nationals are free to run candidates in whichever seats they choose, as are the Liberals,” she said.

“It has no impact on the alliance.”

As Premier, Mr Cook reportedly does not have the same popular appeal as his predecessor Mark McGowan, which led to a swag of seats at the 2021 election including first-time grabs such as the neighbouring Warren-Blackwood.

While Dr Bowe said Labor was unlikely to retain Jane Kelsbie in the seat, he also doubted Ms Mettam was in serious jeopardy in Vasse.

Dr Bowe said Liberal candidate Basil Zempilas could throw a spanner in the works if he had the chance to lead the Opposition to the election in the same manner as Campbell Newman in Queensland’s 2012 election.

However, that would require the parties to work together, for Liberal leader Ms Mettam to step aside, and for Mr Zempilas to risk leading the party to defeat.