Liberal Leader’s Damning Admission: ‘Angus Taylor as PM as Likely as Me Coaching West Coast Eagles’
- Western Australia’s Liberal leader Basil Zempilas makes astonishing comment about federal leader Angus Taylor’s PM chances
- Zempilas’ remarks spark Labor attacks, with Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti accusing him of ‘waving the white flag’
- Secret Harbour by-election becomes a test of One Nation’s popularity in Western Australia, with Liberals and Labor vying for votes
The gloves are off in Western Australia’s Secret Harbour by-election, with Liberal leader Basil Zempilas making a stunning admission that has left his federal counterpart, Angus Taylor, looking like a long shot for the prime ministership.
In a moment of unguarded candour, Zempilas likened Taylor’s chances of becoming PM to his own prospects of coaching the West Coast Eagles – a comparison that has left Labor rubbing its hands in glee.
Zempilas’ remarks were sparked by a question about whether he would seek assurances from Taylor on Western Australia’s share of the GST.
The Liberal leader’s response was laced with sarcasm, implying that Taylor’s chances of becoming PM were as remote as his own chances of coaching the Eagles.
Labor pounced on the comment, with Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti accusing Zempilas of ‘waving the white flag’ and surrendering to One Nation. But Zempilas insists that his party is still in the running, despite the odds being stacked against them.
“The ultimate win for us will be Ryan Robertson joining us in parliament,” he said, referring to the Liberal candidate. “But will Labor losing a seat that they have always held also be a victory for us?
Yes, it will.” The comment has been interpreted as a tacit admission that the Liberals are unlikely to win the seat, and that their best hope is to see Labor lose.
Meanwhile, One Nation is lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on disillusioned voters. The party’s WA leader, Rod Caddies, has accused Labor of running a “ridiculous campaign” based on “smears” and “gutter politics”.
But it’s a tactic that may backfire, with some voters expressing frustration at the lack of solutions being offered by any of the major parties. As the campaign enters its final stretch, the stakes are high for all parties involved.
For Labor, it’s a battle to retain a seat that has been a stronghold for years. For the Liberals, it’s a chance to prove that they’re still a force to be reckoned with in Western Australia.
And for One Nation, it’s an opportunity to prove that they’re more than just a protest vote.
Analysis: What This Means for AustraliaThe Secret Harbour by-election is more than just a local contest – it’s a test of the national mood.
With One Nation surging in opinion polls, the major parties are being forced to confront the reality of a changing electoral landscape.
For the Liberals, the question is whether they should work with One Nation to benefit from their preferences, or whether they should attack the party head-on.
It’s a decision that will have far-reaching consequences for the party’s future. Security analysts say that the rise of One Nation poses a significant threat to the Liberal Party’s very existence.
With the party’s popularity surging in Western Australia, the Liberals are facing a crisis of identity and purpose.
Industry observers believe that the party needs to find a way to connect with voters who are disillusioned with the major parties, or risk being left behind.
As the campaign draws to a close, one thing is clear: the Secret Harbour by-election will be a defining moment for Western Australian politics. Will Labor retain its stronghold, or will One Nation pull off a stunning upset?
The answer will have significant implications for the state’s future – and the nation’s.
The gloves are off in Western Australia’s Secret Harbour by-election, with Liberal leader Basil Zempilas making a stunning admission that has left his federal counterpart, Angus Taylor, looking like a long shot for the prime ministership. In a moment of unguarded candour, Zempilas likened Taylor’s chances of becoming PM to his own prospects of coaching the West Coast Eagles – a comparison that has left Labor rubbing its hands in glee.
Zempilas’ remarks were sparked by a question about whether he would seek assurances from Taylor on Western Australia’s share of the GST. The Liberal leader’s response was laced with sarcasm, implying that Taylor’s chances of becoming PM were as remote as his own chances of coaching the Eagles. Labor pounced on the comment, with Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti accusing Zempilas of ‘waving the white flag’ and surrendering to One Nation.
But Zempilas insists that his party is still in the running, despite the odds being stacked against them. “The ultimate win for us will be Ryan Robertson joining us in parliament,” he said, referring to the Liberal candidate. “But will Labor losing a seat that they have always held also be a victory for us? Yes, it will.” The comment has been interpreted as a tacit admission that the Liberals are unlikely to win the seat, and that their best hope is to see Labor lose.
Meanwhile, One Nation is lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce on disillusioned voters. The party’s WA leader, Rod Caddies, has accused Labor of running a “ridiculous campaign” based on “smears” and “gutter politics”. But it’s a tactic that may backfire, with some voters expressing frustration at the lack of solutions being offered by any of the major parties.
As the campaign enters its final stretch, the stakes are high for all parties involved. For Labor, it’s a battle to retain a seat that has been a stronghold for years. For the Liberals, it’s a chance to prove that they’re still a force to be reckoned with in Western Australia. And for One Nation, it’s an opportunity to prove that they’re more than just a protest vote.
The Secret Harbour by-election is more than just a local contest – it’s a test of the national mood. With One Nation surging in opinion polls, the major parties are being forced to confront the reality of a changing electoral landscape. For the Liberals, the question is whether they should work with One Nation to benefit from their preferences, or whether they should attack the party head-on. It’s a decision that will have far-reaching consequences for the party’s future.
Security analysts say that the rise of One Nation poses a significant threat to the Liberal Party’s very existence. With the party’s popularity surging in Western Australia, the Liberals are facing a crisis of identity and purpose. Industry observers believe that the party needs to find a way to connect with voters who are disillusioned with the major parties, or risk being left behind.
As the campaign draws to a close, one thing is clear: the Secret Harbour by-election will be a defining moment for Western Australian politics. Will Labor retain its stronghold, or will One Nation pull off a stunning upset? The answer will have significant implications for the state’s future – and the nation’s.
