Liberal Leader Basil Zempilas and National Party leader Shane Love have agreed to work towards a new Coalition agreement.
BREAKING: The WA Liberal and National parties are officially joining forces to form a Coalition ahead of the 2029 State Election. This pivotal move comes after intense speculation regarding the future of their longstanding Alliance, which has allowed both parties to operate independently in past elections.
Just announced, party leaders Basil Zempilas and Shane Love confirmed they are embarking on a formal Coalition agreement—set to be finalized by both parties’ State councils. The decision signals a strategic shift as both parties aim to consolidate their strength against the dominant Labor Party, which has triumphed in recent elections, winning 46 of 59 seats in the Legislative Assembly.
Simon Morgan, Liberal State director, stated, “The Alliance agreement signed by our respective parliamentary leaders in March committed our two parties to beginning discussions on how we could potentially work together leading up to the 2029 State Election before the end of this year.” The initial discussions are already underway and are expected to continue into 2026, indicating a proactive approach to solidifying their partnership.
However, several crucial hurdles remain before the Coalition can be fully realized. A significant point of contention is the order of candidates on a prospective joint ticket for the 37-person Upper House. Reports suggest the Nationals demand three candidates in the top 15 positions, a request that may complicate negotiations.
Another contentious issue is policy alignment. The WA Nationals have recently abandoned their net-zero policy, while the Liberal Party’s stance remains unclear. Shane Love has previously emphasized that the best chance for both parties to defeat Labor in 2029 is through unity. “If we can’t reach a position we will go our own way,” he warned in August, reflecting the urgency of these discussions.
At the Nationals’ State conference in August, local branches, including those from Merredin, expressed a strong desire for a formal Coalition agreement with the Liberals, showcasing grassroots support for this strategic shift.
Zempilas has expressed enthusiasm for a closer relationship with the Nationals, co-opening Lachlan Hunter‘s new office in Northam along with Love. “We want to put ourselves in the best possible position for the 2029 election,” he noted, emphasizing the need for a respectful and thorough negotiation process.
As both parties gear up for a more unified front, attention turns to the upcoming elections in 2025, where they previously faced off against each other in key battlegrounds such as the Federal seat of Bullwinkel and the State seat of Bateman. Both elections resulted in losses for the conservatives, underscoring the urgency of their current Coalition discussions.
WHAT’S NEXT: As the state directors work on the details of the Coalition agreement, all eyes are on the evolving dynamics between the WA Liberal and National parties. The outcome of these negotiations will not only shape the political landscape leading into the 2029 State Election but also determine the future strategies for both parties as they seek to reclaim power in Western Australia.
Stay tuned for updates as these developments unfold and the implications for the state’s political future become clearer.
