World News – AU – Harvey gives up his leadership, Kirkup and Nalder race for the top job

Liza Harvey has resigned under increasing pressure over the popularity of Prime Minister Mark McGowan in state election.

Party’s health spokesman Zak Kirkup and Shadow Treasurer Dean Nalder have both announced that they will run for Liberal leadership at a special party room meeting earlier this week.

WA Liberal health spokesman Zak Kirkup has confirmed that he will run for leadership of the party. Photo credit: Lauren Pilat

At a press conference on Sunday morning, Ms. Harvey said she was standing aside to allow the party to reset its electoral strategy.

« I stand aside so the new leadership team can move our party forward and give our candidates the best opportunity to be elected in the communities where they are campaigning, » she said.

« On the way to the elections on 13. By March every Western Australian voter needs to be clear. You will elect a government that will take control for the next four years.

« While they did a good job closing the borders, the tough job would always come out of the lockdown. It is very clear that the Labor government has no plan for this. « 

Ms. Harvey said the decision would give « clean air » to Liberal candidates, including those who had quit their jobs to run for the party. .

Mr Kirkup said Ms Harvey had « done an exceptional job in the toughest of circumstances and the party will forever be indebted to her ». .

« Your compassion and determination for our state are unsurpassed and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with her, » he said.

« As for the liberal leadership, I can confirm that I will be a candidate. I think it is vital that we have a unified team to move on to the next election and to make sure that the people of Western Australia have a real choice. « 

Ms. Harvey said she would use the 111 days leading up to the election to run for re-election at her Scarborough headquarters.

Speculation about Ms. Harvey’s leadership peaked ahead of the last scheduled meeting of all liberal politicians before the elections two weeks ago.

This left Ms. Harvey unassailable, with only likely change if she chose to resign on her own terms.

The party has been conducting polls across the country for the past few weeks and MPs received a high-level briefing at the meeting two weeks ago.

Liberal MPs backed Ms. Harvey ahead of the last session of Parliament, which closed last week.

But Darling Range MP Alyssa Hayden said she should stay as chair until after the election because the party « didn’t have a poll to say otherwise ». .

Other possible candidates for leadership include Cottesloe Rep. David Honey, Churchlands Rep. Sean L’Estrange, and Vasse Rep. Libby Mettam.

« We live in a pandemic and a world collapsing with countries in all sorts of trouble around the world, and Western Australia is a beacon of good achievement, a beacon of the world, » he said.

« I don’t think we should risk this, I don’t think we should risk it, and I think changing government in March is a big risk, especially when the Liberal Party is so unstable and so inconsistent. « 

Mr McGowan did not want to comment on which Liberal he would face in the elections, but said: « If you want to be Prime Minister, you really need to have experience in both government and opposition.

« You must have fought for it, » he said. « You must have worked for it, you must want it, if you want to be the Prime Minister of this state. « 

Nathan is today’s WA political reporter and the 2019 Arthur Lovekin Prize winner for outstanding journalistic achievement.

Liza Harvey, Liberal Party of Australia (Western Australian Division), opposition leader, Dean Nalder