Follow our live coverage here.
Follow our live coverage here.
Basil Zempilas has revealed his employment with media giant Seven West Media ceased earlier this month after being grilled on the nature of his relationship with its major shareholder Kerry Stokes and fellow billionaire Gina Rinehart.
The prominent media personality, who began his broadcast career with Seven West more than 30 years ago, confirmed he was no longer on the company’s payroll.
But he would continue to pen the weekly column he has authored for The West Australian since 2019, and which drew the ire of those in WA Labor’s ranks as it progressively became more political.
Zempilas pointed out deputy premier Rita Saffioti also had a regular column, but he said there would be no fee.
When quizzed by our political reporter Hamish Hastie about his relationships with media mogul Kerry Stokes and Rinehart – who he has previously emceed events for – and whether they would have any bearing on his new role, Zempilas said: “None. Kerry Stokes was the major shareholder and owner [of Seven West Media] for almost all of the time I was employed there.
“It was an employer/employee relationship, and I don’t expect anything from that relationship will enter into my new role.
“To describe it as anything other than that would be inaccurate.”
Zempilas’ relationship with the media empire and its billionaire owner has long been a topic of discussion.
The Churchlands MP confirmed speculation about his bid for higher office with The West Australian in January 2024, revealing he first discussed the idea with Stokes after the company’s annual charity event Telethon in October 2023.
But he told Hastie he did not converse with Stokes about his tilt for the leadership.
In December, the Independent Media Council upheld three complaints from Zempilas’ mayoral opponent Sandy Anghie against Seven West Media, which was found to have given her unfair and imbalanced coverage during the City of Perth election.
And newly-elected Liberal leader Basil Zempilas has begun his time at the helm by lavishing his predecessor Libby Mettam in praise, hailing her efforts “incredibly stoic” and expressing appreciation for the fact she would stand alongside him as part of the leadership team.
Fronting the media outside Parliament House following a meeting where he was rubber-stamped as leader, the former Seven West Media personality said Mettam had been an inspiration, especially for candidates at the poll in which he was elected to the seat of Churchlands.
“We are so pleased you are part of the leadership team as the reset of the Liberal Party begins,” Zempilas said.
“The road to 2029 begins today.”
The former lord mayor of Perth vowed to lead a party that would put the interests of Western Australians first, champion integrity in parliament, target “wasteful” government spending and improve housing affordability.
Zempilas’ appointment comes just days after Mettam resigned following the party’s second-worst election result.
In a statement, Mettam said she wanted to continue as leader but did not have the support of the party room.
She dubbed the leadership speculation that plagued the party in November a contributing factor in the election outcome, which was sparked by leaked polling that suggested Zempilas being elected leader would lead to better results at the ballot box.
The poll prompted a leadership challenge, and was later revealed to have been facilitated by Zempilas’ ex-campaign manager Cam Sinclair.
It’s official, former Perth Lord Mayor turned Churchlands MP Basil Zempilas has been elected leader of the WA Liberals and opposition leader.
Zempilas was rubber-stamped as leader at a party room meeting at Parliament House on Tuesday morning.
Sticking with the WA Liberals leadership challenge, most MPs have made their way into parliament to rubber stamp Basil Zempilas as opposition leader.
WAtoday caught most of them going in. Here’s what they had to say:
Jonathan Huston, new Nedlands MP: “No comment”.
Sandra Brewer, new Cottesloe MP: “I think it’s worked out for the best. I think talking to my colleagues, people are really optimistic about the future. This is a fresh start, and I think the voters of WA expressed that they were ready for a change to the Liberal team.”
Adam Hort, new Kalamunda MP: “One thing that was very clear to me in the Perth Hills was community and getting back to basics of political representation, we’re not all politicians, we’re parliamentarians, and we have a responsibility to represent the places that elected us.”
Liam Staltari, new Carine MP: “This is an exciting opportunity for our party to start a new chapter, to reset and to bring some really exciting new energy forward.”
David Bolt, new Murray Wellington MP: “It’s a great team, excited to be here, and we’re looking forward to the future. We’re all new, but we’re going to learn quickly. I’m going to take it up to the government very quickly, and I think they’ll be surprised how good we are.”
Steve Thomas, Upper House MP: “I want to see a seismic shift in the way the Liberal Party does business in Western Australia … I hope Basil can deliver that. Certainly he’s got the support of the group to deliver exactly that.”
Nick Goiran, Upper House MP: “I’d like to think that Basil, myself and every member of the incoming Liberal team will want to hold [Labor] to account and say enough is enough.”
Peter Collier, retiring Upper House MP (after getting a selfie in front of the press pack): “In opposition, we’re not flash … I’ve supported every leader I’ve served under, and I think that’s important. That’s one thing the Labor Party to actually do well, in terms of the fact that they do unify behind the leader, and that’s something that we can learn from.”
There’s no doubt it has been an abnormally hot March.
Sherri-Lee Biggs explained the sea breeze capped Perth’s temperature at 40.1C just before 2pm yesterday, making it the hottest day recorded this late in the season.
The two previous records both fell on the 23rd of the month, the last being 20 years ago and the one before that, over a century ago.
The last time Perth experienced two days of 40C or over in March was almost 13 years ago, back in 2012.
Perth is on track to record five days in March over 35 degrees, which would make it the longest late season hot spell since 1985.
Basil Zempilas has arrived at Parliament House for a meeting where he will be rubber-stamped as Liberal party and opposition leader.
Speaking ahead of the meeting Zempilas said the Liberals would undergo a total reset following the party’s underwhelming result at the March 8 poll.
I think it’s more than a rebuild. I think it’s a total reset and that’s the opportunity that we’ve got, but that is a matter for me and all of our colleagues to come together and discuss
Stay with us as we bring you all the WA political news as it breaks today.
Some positive news out of the CCIWA now, with their Business Confidence Survey finding businesses were the most confident they had been since December 2021.
Around 40 per cent of local businesses were expecting better economic conditions in the short term and about a quarter expected conditions to improve over the longer term.
“The two biggest barriers to business growth in WA have been cost pressures and skills
shortages, and these have been persistent for the past few years,” CCIWA Chief Economist Aaron Morey said.
“Both of those concerns remain but have clearly started to ease which is boosting
confidence across the economy.”
The survey of 664 businesses found high costs remained the biggest barrier to growth.
Labour shortages remained the second most significant barrier to growth, with three in five WA businesses reporting this as an issue.
“We also saw greater concern about increasing government red tape in the March
quarter, with almost a third of respondents identifying it as a barrier to growth,” Morey said.
Back to the state election count which has dragged on for two weeks, and the Liberal Party has claimed the seat of Kalamunda by a tiny 82 votes after the recount.
Adam Hort, who has won the seat which had been held by the Labor Party with margin of 14.5 per cent, has issued a statement on social media.
“I am deeply humbled and honoured to have earned your trust and been chosen as your new representative in State Parliament,” he said.
“This campaign has been an incredible journey, one filled with passionate conversations, shared stories, and a united vision for our Hills communities.
“From Wooroloo to Canning Mills, one thing was clear: the people of the Perth Hills wanted an advocate who will stand up and fight for them. I am ready to be that voice.
“No matter how you voted, I want you to know this: I will fight for everyone in our community. I will listen and I will show up. I will always put you first.”
This means the Liberals become the official opposition party and avoid some awkward conversations with the Nationals. Basil Zempilas will be rubber-stamped as Liberal leader at a meeting this morning, and become leader of the opposition too.
Here’s what’s making news this morning:
Straight into some breaking news now, and NBL legend Bryce Cotton has announced he will leave the Perth Wildcats after nine seasons.
The five-time league MVP knocked back a contract offer from Perth that reportedly would’ve made him the highest-paid player in NBL history.
Cotton has indicated he would not play for another NBL club.
The American guard has been linked with a move to Japan’s Chiba Jets, coached by former Wildcats boss Trevor Gleeson.
“Perth will always be home, but it’s time to say goodbye and see what else God has planned for me and my family,” Cotton said on Instagram.
“I came at the back end of the season my first year only expecting to be here six weeks.
“It turned into accomplishing things that no other player has achieved in their first nine seasons in the history of the league.
“Despite that, I had my slumps along the way on the court but you guys never turned your back on me and always showed genuine support.
“I can never thank you enough for that.”
AAP
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