Nationals MP Merome Beard quits party to join Liberals, throwing opposition alliance into doubt

WA Nationals MP for North West Central, Merome Beard, has defected to the Liberal Party.

The move raises serious doubt about the future of Western Australia's political alliance between the Liberal and National parties.

It also raises questions as to who should rightly hold the title of opposition leader in WA.

In a statement, Ms Beard said her decision was aimed at ensuring the best outcomes for the electorate.

"Sometimes, you need to make hard and uncomfortable decisions if you believe they are in the best interests of your constituents and the state," she said.

She also praised Liberal leader Libby Mettam, and accused the Labor state government of being unwilling and unable to provide for regional WA.

Speaking later on ABC Radio Perth on Wednesday morning, Ms Beard denied she had betrayed the Nationals or the people of her electorate.

"No, I don't feel like a traitor," she said.

"I've done what I think is best for the people in my electorate and the people I stood up to represent. And the people in my electorate that actually know me understand that I have their best interests at heart."

Ms Beard said feedback from her constituents this morning had been positive, and argued moving to the Liberal Party better represented her electorate.

"I actually want to have my community to be at the heart of driving change, and to be frank, to be at the table when decisions are made, when there is a change of government."

Shane Love, Libby Mettam react

The current opposition leader, the National Party's Shane Love, said on Tuesday night he was disappointed.

"This evening at 7:01pm I received notice from the Member for North West Central of her resignation from The National Party," he said.

"Just over a year ago, dedicated members of The Nationals WA from all corners of the state worked tirelessly, raised funds, and contributed significantly to elect Merome Beard as a member of the state parliament under the National Party banner.

"The Nationals WA remain committed to the people of the North West, and we intend to field a candidate in every regional seat in the next state election."

Liberal leader Libby Mettam said Ms Beard would be a "welcome addition" to her party.

"I welcome the Member for North West Central's decision to join the WA Liberal Party," she said.

"Merome is a committed local businesswoman and a strong representative for the North West Central electorate whose values align closely to those of the Liberal Party.

"She is a welcome addition whom I know will make a valuable contribution to our team."

Following the last state election, the National Party in WA held four legislative assembly seats compared to just two held by the Liberal Party.

This left the National Party as the official state opposition and entitled to the funding that comes with that office.

The Liberal and National parties formed an "opposition alliance" and have shared some resources, but the National Party retained the opposition leader role.

Ms Beard joining the Liberal Party will see the Liberal and National parties each with three members in the legislative assembly.

What this means for who becomes opposition leader remains unclear, but it is understood nothing will change immediately.

It is no secret however that the Liberal Party and Ms Mettam believe they should hold the title heading into the next election in March 2025.

Talks expected over leader position

Mr Love said it would be up to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Michelle Roberts, to decide who would be the opposition leader when state parliament resumed on Tuesday next week.

Ms Roberts' office released a statement on Wednesday morning saying her advice is that she will continue to recognise the incumbent Mr Love as leader.

By convention it will be up to the parliamentary Liberal and National parties to decide amongst themselves.

Mr Love would not say whether he wanted to continue in the role.

"That's a matter for some consideration, I mean, you know, forgive me but this is news that came very late tonight," he said.

"Obviously, we'll have to have some discussions within our group as to the way to go forward from here."

But he noted the Liberals must have been involved in Ms Beard's defection.

"It's now time for the Liberal Party to come to us and talk to us about what they see as the future arrangements," Mr Love said.

"This is a move which is obviously something they've had to [have] worked upon over the last week or two."

Mr Love would not directly comment on whether the defection destabilised the alliance with the Liberals.

"Obviously, there are issues that need to be discussed and resolved between both parties, and positions I'll have to discuss with my colleagues," he said.

Ms Mettam said she expected the parties would continue to work "collaboratively" but said there would be talks about who led the opposition. 

"We have proven we can continue to work together despite past sitting members switching parties and I believe we will continue to work cooperatively to present as a strong alternative to the current out-of-touch Cook Labor Government," she said.

"I understand Merome’s decision will inevitably raise questions around the Leader of the Opposition status.

"Those discussions are ongoing but the WA Liberal Party remains committed to the Opposition Alliance."

Ms Beard said her move would ultimately make the opposition stronger.

"It's absolutely essential we have a strong and cohesive opposition going forward," she said.

Defection comes after by-election win

The move came as doubts hung over the future of Ms Beard's seat and how a proposed redrawing of boundaries could see it abolished.

Ms Beard took the seat of North West Central in a by-election last year triggered by the resignation of Nationals MP Vince Catania.

Mr Catania himself entered politics as a Labor MP before defecting to the Nationals in a move that still raises tempers among some Labor veterans whenever mentioned.

Rumour of Ms Beard's defection have been swirling around political circles in WA for the past fortnight.

At the weekend, the Liberal Party passed a motion at its state conference that it would not run any joint tickets with the Nationals at the next election.

At that 2025 poll it is anticipated Ms Beard will run in direct competition against Shane Love in what might end up as an amalgamated Mid West seat.

While the Liberals currently have more members than the Nationals in the Legislative Council, it is understood that does not factor into determination of who is opposition leader.