Shane Love has issued a warning regarding the tough negotiations that lie ahead with the newly nominated Liberal Leader, Basil Zempilas, in the race for the title of Opposition Leader in Western Australia. With the results from the state election showing a tie between the Nationals and Liberals—with both parties holding six seats each—negotiations are crucial amid two undecided seats.
The recent state election results have left political dynamics in Western Australia tense. As of Friday, March 21, 2025, Liberal candidate Adam Hort is leading in the Kalamunda seat by less than 100 votes, a narrow margin that could potentially tip the scales. As discussions between the two opposition parties ramp up, Shane Love, the leader of the Nationals, has made it clear that he will not relinquish the Opposition Leader role without securing significant agreements in return.
“It’s a matter of negotiating,” Love stated, highlighting the necessity for a give-and-take approach to ensure mutual benefit. He emphasized that public sentiment from strongholds in his constituency supports a firm stance, stating, “Most of the people in the areas we’re strongest in say, ‘Good on you, don’t give in and don’t give anything away.’” He added, “but the reality is that we need to form government in 2029, and that’s what we need to be working towards.”
Love’s assertion underscores the need for both parties to engage in productive discussions as they set their sights on the future. He even revived proposals for a joint upper house ticket and a formal coalition, suggesting that the two parties must establish agreements regarding resource sharing and staffing funding to achieve common goals.
“There needs to be a realization from both sides that there’s a bit of give and take in that,” Love explained, presenting a pragmatic view of the negotiations ahead.
As for Zempilas’s upcoming leadership, Love remains optimistic about engaging with him once the decisions are finalized. Zempilas is expected to solidify his role as the new leader following Libby Mettam's resignation after the election loss. “We’ll see what happens over the next week,” Love stated, acknowledging that the Parliament and Speaker will play crucial roles in determining the leadership landscape.
Basil Zempilas, who also serves as the Lord Mayor of Perth and a prominent television commentator, confirmed his nomination for the Liberal leadership a mere hour after Mettam announced her decision to step down on March 20. His announcement came shortly after the election, where the Liberal party was unable to capitalize on an 18 percent swing against the incumbent Labor party, instead only securing six seats with five still undecided.
“I am prepared to put my name forward,” Zempilas asserted during a press release, demonstrating confidence in his suitability for the position. “Clearly, I would not be putting my name forward if I didn’t think I was capable of doing the job.” He noted, however, the challenges ahead, recognizing the inexperience within his party's lower house team.
Addressing the campaign fallout, Mettam pointed out that the uncertainty and unrest surrounding leadership in late 2024 had severely impacted the election outcome. She stated, “While I take responsibility for our result, it is very clear that the constant and ongoing leadership speculation and destabilization was a significant contributing factor.” Mettam's sentiments reflect a broader sentiment of accountability within the party.
Despite her stepping down, Mettam reiterated her commitment to supporting Zempilas, speaking highly of his potential leadership. “I’m very pleased that Libby is going to be there with us,” Zempilas stated, as he expressed his enthusiasm for a collaborative approach moving forward. The new leader is keen on fostering a strong working relationship with Mettam as they navigate the newly shaken political landscape.
Zempilas also maintains that he did not contribute to any rumors regarding Mettam's leadership vulnerability. “The natural process of the Liberal party is, after any election, all leadership positions are declared vacant, so I’m not in control of that,” he explained this week.
As the political scene unfolds with the party room meeting scheduled for March 25, the prospects for the future remain uncertain. Both the Nationals and the Liberals are preparing for a critical period of negotiation, where the stakes are high, and the strategies employed will be pivotal in determining their political legacies in the coming years.
With significant change looming over Western Australia’s political landscape, all eyes will be on the meetings between Shane Love and Basil Zempilas in the coming days, as the negotiations could potentially reshape the opposition's approach to challenging the ruling government. The urgency of the situation underscores the importance of cohesion and collaboration, not just between the two parties but also within their leadership structures.
