Local member steps up to lead in Opposition

After a thorough campaign to keep his seat of Moore, Nationals deputy leader Shane Love may be one of only six non-Labor MPs in the Lower House, including four Nationals.

Mr Love said he had no doubt Nationals leader Mia Davies would be the next Leader of the Opposition.

“She is a bloody good leader, a lot better leader than we’ve had in the last four years,” he said.

The Liberals appear to have lost all of their Lower House MPs apart from Libby Mettam in Vasse and Cottesloe’s David Honey. Mr Love refused to speculate on whether the Deputy Opposition Leader’s position would be offered to Ms Mettam or himself.

“I think everybody is going to have to step up to the plate and show signs of leadership,” he said.

“There won’t be any passengers, nobody will be backbenchers, they will have to take an interest in everything that happens.

“They all have to take an interest in order to put forward alternatives to government policies and highlight weaknesses in government practices.”

If the Liberals retain just two seats they will have to negotiate with the Nationals and the Labor Government for resources such as staff.

Mr Love said with as few as six Opposition members covering so many portfolios they would need extra staff to “keep on top of everything”.

“Those types of issues will be discussed in coming conversations and negotiations on how to move forward for the next four years,” he said.

Mr Love’s seat of Moore includes towns surrounding Geraldton, like Northampton, Nabawa, Mullewa and Dongara.