Libby Mettam

Elizabeth Hansen-Knarhoi was born on 3 May 1977 in Subiaco, Western Australia, to Jennifer, a real estate agent, and Peter Hansen-Knarhoi, a biochemist. Her paternal grandparents were from the United Kingdom, and met on a steamship en route from London to Perth, where her father was born. Mettam's mother and her family arrived in Western Australia from England in 1951. Mettam grew up in Kalgoorlie briefly and Geraldton for most her childhood, having to move due to her father's work as a biochemist. She attended Bluff Point Primary School from 1982 to 1989 and Geraldton Senior High School from 1990 to 1994.

Aged 17, Mettam moved to Perth to study at Edith Cowan University's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, majoring in broadcasting.{{cite web |title=Ms Elizabeth (Libby) Mettam |url=https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/mphistoricaldata.nsf/LinkMembersDbNames/Mettam,%20Ms%20Libby |website=Parliament of Western Australia |access-date=18 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=Deputy leader of the WA Liberal party Libby Mettam on her unorthodox path to success |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/deputy-leader-of-the-wa-liberal-party-libby-mettam-on-her-unorthodox-path-to-success-ng-b881731000z |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=28 November 2020 |url-access=subscription}} She later said "that is something that has lingered with me. I don’t think it’s fair the only option for regional children is to go to the city to further their education." She met her future husband, Jonathan Charles Mettam, while working with him at the Albion Hotel in Cottesloe. She paused her degree to spend a year in Melbourne with him, and they soon had two daughters together. They married on 26 August 2000 and spent a year in Adelaide so that Jonathan could complete a qualification in winemaking, before moving to Dunsborough, Western Australia, in 2003. Mettam later studied at Curtin Business School, earning a masters in public administration. In 2007, she was awarded Best student in Public Administration by the state division of the Institute of Public Administration.

Prior to entering politics, Mettam worked as a news producer, which was her first exposure to politics. From 1999 to 2001, she was a researcher for Channel 7 Perth's Today Tonight; in 2001 and 2002, she was a bureau producer for Channel 9's A Current Affair in Adelaide; and from 2003 to 2005, she was a producer for ABC South West, which put her in contact with her local member of the state parliament, Troy Buswell, which led to her getting a job working as an electorate officer for Liberal MLC Barry House from 2005 to 2014. She was also a freelance journalist for Instyle Publishing from 2007 to 2010, and a seasonal publicist for CinefestOZ from 2008.

Organisations that Mettam has been a member of include the Dunsborough Yallingup Chamber of Commerce and Industry, of which she was vice president for a time; the Busselton Chamber of Commerce; the Our Lady of the Cape Primary School board, and the MacKillop Catholic College Interim School Board.

Mettam joined the Dunsborough branch of the Western Australian Liberal Party in 2006, becoming branch secretary from 2012 to 2014 and branch president in 2014. Her parents had been Liberal supporters, but were not members of the party, and Mettam herself was not interested in politics during her early 20s. She was also a committee member of the party's campaign for the electoral district of Warren-Blackwood for the 2013 state election and the secretary of the Forrest Division Women in 2014.

Troy Buswell, the Liberal member for the electoral district of Vasse in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, resigned from his seat on 3 September 2014 due to mental health problems.{{cite web |title=Troy Buswell quits: Premier unsurprised and decision 'showed courage' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-04/shock-expressed-at-troy-buswell-resignation-from-politics/5718914 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=4 September 2014}}{{cite web |last1=Foster |first1=Brendan |title=Disgraced WA MP Troy Buswell quits politics |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/disgraced-wa-mp-troy-buswell-quits-politics-20140904-10c5xf.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=4 September 2014}}{{cite web |title=Troy Buswell quits politics citing need to manage mental health problems |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/04/troy-buswell-quits-politics-citing-need-to-manage-mental-health-problems |website=The Guardian |agency=Australian Associated Press |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=4 September 2014}} Mettam soon emerged as the leading contender to be the Liberal Party's candidate for the upcoming Vasse by-election;{{cite web |last1=Parker |first1=Gareth |title=The woman set to succeed Troy |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/the-woman-set-to-succeed-troy-ng-ya-254497 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=4 September 2014}}{{cite web |title=Liberal preselection begins for Vasse |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-10/liberal-preselection-begins-for-vasse/5733608 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=10 September 2014}} after Liberal Party nominations closed later that month, Mettam was the sole nominee.{{cite web |title=Sole Liberal nominee for WA seat of Vasse |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/sole-liberal-nominee-for-wa-seat-of-vasse-20140915-10hbdk.html |website=WAtoday |agency=Australian Associated Press |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=15 September 2014}}{{cite web |last1=Emerson |first1=Daniel |title=Mettam sole Liberal nominee for Vasse |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/mettam-sole-liberal-nominee-for-vasse-ng-ya-254132 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=15 September 2014}} The Labor Party declined to put up a candidate for the by-election due to Vasse being an extremely safe Liberal seat.{{cite web |last1=Dalzell |first1=Stephanie |title=Labor not standing candidate in Vasse by-election for Troy Buswell's former seat |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-09/labor-not-standing-a-candidate-in-the-vasse-by-election/5731078 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=9 September 2014}}{{cite web |title=Labor won’t stand candidate in Troy Buswell’s old seat of Vasse |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/labor-wont-stand-candidate-in-troy-buswells-old-seat-of-vasse-ng-b75da59650b4cc2f7b6994a1a3f7031a |website=PerthNow |agency=Australian Associated Press |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=9 September 2014}}{{cite web |last1=Emerson |first1=Daniel |title=Labor raises white flag in Vasse |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/south-west/labor-raises-white-flag-in-vasse-ng-ya-254335 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=9 September 2014}} Her main opponent was thus Nationals candidate Peter Gordon.{{cite web |last1=Kirkman |first1=Kim |title=Vasse Poll: Analyst predicts two-horse race |url=https://www.bdtimes.com.au/news/south-west/vasse-poll-analyst-predicts-two-horse-race-ng-ya-253031 |website=Busselton Dunsborough Times |publisher=West Australian Newspapers |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=17 October 2014}} Mettam campaigned on improvements to local health and education due to the region's growing population and protecting natural assets. She said she would be willing to cross the floor on the issue of fracking. Mettam ultimately won the by-election on 18 October 2014, albeit with a swing against the Liberal Party.{{cite web |title=Liberals declare victory in South West seat of Vasse, but suffer swing against |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-18/liberals-suffer-swing-against-in-vasse/5824476 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=18 October 2014}}{{cite web |last1=Spagnolo |first1=Joe |title=Libs’ Libby Mettam claims Vasse, but suffers big swing away from Liberal Party |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/libs-libby-mettam-claims-vasse-but-suffers-big-swing-away-from-liberal-party-ng-e70c8951a24c128b1d008e6ef97c6c63 |website=PerthNow |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=18 October 2014}}{{cite web |title=WA politics: Liberals retain Vasse seat in by-election |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/wa-politics-liberals-retain-vasse-seat-in-byelection-20141019-118a5l.html |website=WAtoday |agency=Australian Associated Press |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=19 October 2014}} Mettam received 44.3 percent of the first-preference votes and 53.0 percent on a two-party-preferred basis versus the Nationals.{{cite web |title=State By-elections: 2014 Vasse By-election |url=https://www.elections.wa.gov.au/elections/state/byelection#/2014-Vasse-By-election |website=Western Australian Electoral Commission |access-date=18 January 2025}}

After the 2017 state election, newly elected leader Mike Nahan appointed Mettam to the shadow cabinet,{{cite web |last1=Wildie |first1=Tom |title=WA Liberal Leader Mike Nahan unveils shadow cabinet with 'extensive experience' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-25/mike-nahan-unveils-wa-shadow-cabinet/8386498 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=25 March 2017}} making her the shadow minister for tourism and shadow minister for small business. After Nahan's resignation in June 2019, Liza Harvey was elected leader unopposed.{{cite web |last1=Gubana |first1=Benjamin |last2=Shine |first2=Rhiannon |last3=O'Flaherty |first3=Alisha |title=Liza Harvey becomes WA Opposition Leader after Mike Nahan quits as head of WA Liberals |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-13/liza-harvey-new-wa-opposition-leader-after-mike-nahan-quits/11205306 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=13 June 2019}}{{cite web |last1=de Kruijff |first1=Peter |title=Liza Harvey wins Liberal leadership unopposed following Mike Nahan resignation |url=https://www.perthnow.com.au/politics/state-politics/liza-harvey-wins-liberal-leadership-unopposed-following-mike-nahan-resignation-ng-b881229365z |website=PerthNow |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=13 June 2019}} Mettam roles in the new shadow cabinet were shadow minister for transport and shadow minister assisting the leader. Mettam was described by WAtoday and The West Australian as one of the biggest winners out of the cabinet reshuffle.{{cite web |last1=Hondros |first1=Nathan |title=Liza Harvey reshapes opposition, promotes young blood and women to key roles |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/liza-harvey-reshapes-opposition-promotes-young-blood-and-women-to-key-roles-20190628-p5224h.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=28 June 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Butterly |first1=Nick |title=Opposition leader Liza Harvey unveils new look Liberal frontbench |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/opposition-leader-liza-harvey-unveils-new-look-liberal-frontbench-ng-b881243107z |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=27 June 2019 |url-access=subscription}} From February 2020, she had the portfolio of ports as well, and from July 2020, she had the portfolio of fisheries. As the shadow minister for transport, Mettam criticised time and cost blowouts on Metronet, the government's project to expand and improve Perth's rail network. She also criticised the government for safety issues during the construction of the Forrestfield–Airport Link and for the government secrecy regarding major infrastructure projects.

Harvey resigned as Liberal leader in November 2020 due to extremely poor opinion polling.{{cite web |last1=Kagi |first1=Jacob |last2=Weber |first2=David |title=WA Opposition Leader Liza Harvey announces decision to step aside, citing Liberal Party election strategy |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-22/wa-opposition-leader-liza-harvey-quits-as-party-leader/12908696 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=22 November 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Cowan |first1=Sean |last2=Murray |first2=Jordan |title=Harvey quits as opposition leader |url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Harvey-quits-as-opposition-leader |website=Business News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=22 November 2020 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=Liza Harvey resigns as leader of the WA Liberals just 111 days before WA State election |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/liza-harvey-resigns-as-leader-of-the-wa-liberals-just-111-days-before-wa-state-election-ng-b881727862z |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=22 November 2020 |url-access=subscription}} Zak Kirkup and Dean Nalder contested the resulting leadership election on 24 November 2020. Mettam backed Kirkup along with a majority of Liberal MPs,{{cite news |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=Guess Who's Got Votes |work=The West Australian |date=24 November 2020 |pages=1, 6–7}} resulting in the withdrawal of Nalder and the election of Kirkup to the leadership unopposed. Mettam was elected deputy leader unopposed as well, making her the deputy leader of the opposition.{{cite web |last1=Hondros |first1=Nathan |last2=de Kruijff |first2=Peter |title='A game for fighters': Zak Kirkup is new WA Liberals leader |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/liberals-to-choose-zak-kirkup-as-leader-as-dean-nalder-quits-race-20201124-p56hg1.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=24 November 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Raphael |first1=Angie |title=First-term MP becomes new WA Liberal Party leader months before state election |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/western-australia/firstterm-mp-becomes-new-leader-of-the-wa-liberal-party-just-a-few-months-before-election/news-story/7cb5743e894bdae079a3ea0d9497711d |website=News.com.au |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=24 November 2020}} Kirkup and Mettam were both the first Liberal leader and deputy leader since the 2017 state election to not be former members of cabinet. She retained the portfolios of transport, ports and fisheries in Kirkup's shadow cabinet.

The March 2021 state election resulted in a landslide defeat for the Liberal Party. Mettam was one of two lower house Liberal MPs to retain their seats, the other being David Honey.{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=State Election 2021: Cottesloe’s David Honey and Vasse MP Libby Mettam to face 53 Labor MPs in Parliament |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-election-2021/state-election-2021-cottesloes-david-honey-and-vasse-mp-libby-mettam-to-face-53-labor-mps-in-parliament-ng-b881820610z |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=13 March 2021}} The Labor Party was re-elected with 53 seats in the Legislative Assembly, while the Nationals won four seats, giving them more seats than the Liberal Party and making the Nationals leader the leader of the opposition.{{cite web |last1=Dupe |first1=Cally |title=State election 2021: WA Nationals leader Mia Davies ready to hold Labor to account |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-election-2021/state-election-2021-wa-nationals-leader-mia-davies-ready-to-hold-labor-to-account-ng-b881820780z |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=15 March 2021 |url-access=subscription}} Mettam declined to stand for Liberal leader due to not having enough support within the party, resulting in Honey becoming leader unopposed.{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |last2=Zimmerman |first2=Josh |title=State election 2021: Cottesloe MP David Honey to lead WA Liberals as Libby Mettam decides against tilt |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-election-2021/state-election-2021-cottesloe-mp-david-honey-to-lead-wa-liberals-as-libby-mettam-decides-against-tilt-ng-b881828045z |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=22 March 2021 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Weber |first1=David |title=David Honey set to become leader of WA Liberals |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-22/david-honey-set-to-become-leader-of-wa-liberals/100022216 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=22 March 2021}} Mettam was given the portfolios of health, mental health, disability services, and prevention of family and domestic violence.

{{main|2023 Western Australian Liberal Party leadership spill|2025 Western Australian state election}}

Over the two years following the 2021 state election, it became viewed as increasingly likely that Honey would be replaced as Liberal leader by Mettam.{{cite web |last1=Bourke |first1=Keane |title=Is David Honey the right person to lead the WA Liberals to the next election? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-29/david-honey-approval-rating-2025-election/101592936 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=29 October 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Spagnolo |first1=Joe |title=Liberals target cricket great Justin Langer to lead Party out of political wilderness |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/liberal/liberals-target-cricket-great-justin-langer-to-lead-party-out-of-political-wilderness--c-7120386 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=11 June 2022 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Bourke |first1=Keane |title=West Australian opposition in turmoil as Nationals leader quits, Liberal leadership challenge underway — where to from here? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-29/wa-politics-analysis-where-to-for-liberal-national-opposition-/101903682 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=29 January 2023}} Mettam had gained a higher profile than Honey through her position as shadow health minister. An opinion poll conducted by Painted Dog Research on 5 January 2023 showed that ten percent of respondents believed that Honey was the right person to lead the Liberal Party and that 29 percent of respondents believed that Mettam was the right person to lead the party.{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=People’s Voice Survey: Who the public prefers out of Libby Mettam and David Honey to lead WA Liberal Party |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/liberal/peoples-voice-survey-who-the-public-prefers-out-of-libby-mettam-and-david-honey-to-lead-wa-liberal-party-c-9406056 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=11 January 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

On Friday, 27 January 2023, Mettam revealed her intention to challenge Honey for the leadership at a special partyroom meeting the following week. The move came the same day that Nationals leader Mia Davies announced her resignation as leader.{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |last2=Genovese |first2=Michael |title=Libby Mettam confirms Liberal Party leadership tilt |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/libby-mettam-confirms-liberal-party-leadership-tilt-20230127-p5cg3i.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=27 April 2023 |date=27 January 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=Libby Mettam challenges David Honey for leadership of WA Liberal Party |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/liberal/libby-mettam-set-to-challenge-david-honey-for-leadership-of-liberal-party-c-9578774 |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 April 2023 |date=27 January 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Carmody |first1=James |title=Libby Mettam set to challenge David Honey for leadership of Western Australia's Liberal Party |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-27/libby-mettam-challenges-david-honey-wa-liberal-party-leadership/101902394 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 April 2023 |date=27 January 2023}} The meeting occurred on 30 January. Honey initially said that he would contest the leadership spill,{{cite web |title=Libby Mettam says she has the numbers to lead Western Australia's Liberal Party |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-28/libby-mettam-david-honey-liberal-leadership-contest-/101903124 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 April 2023 |date=28 January 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Burton |first1=Jesinta |title=Leadership spill heats up as Honey vows to fight for top job |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/leadership-spill-heats-up-as-honey-vows-to-fight-for-top-job-20230128-p5cg61.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=27 April 2023 |date=28 January 2023}} but pulled out on the morning of the partyroom meeting, allowing Mettam to be voted in unopposed. Upper house MP Steve Thomas was elected deputy leader.{{cite web |last1=Genovese |first1=Michael |last2=Hastie |first2=Hamish |title=Shane Love elected opposition leader as Libby Mettam chosen to lead WA Liberals |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/libby-mettam-to-be-leader-of-wa-liberal-party-20230130-p5cgh5.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=27 April 2023 |date=30 January 2023 }}{{cite web |last1=Perpitch |first1=Nicolas |last2=Bourke |first2=Keane |last3=Burmas |first3=Grace |title=Shane Love is WA's new opposition leader, as Libby Mettam takes over Liberal party leadership |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-30/david-honey-libby-mettam-wa-liberal-leadership/101904478 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 April 2023 |date=30 January 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |last2=Le May |first2=Rebecca |title=Libby Mettam officially takes over WA Liberal party after David Honey pulls out of leadership race |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/libby-mettam-to-lead-wa-liberal-party-after-david-honey-pulls-out-of-leadership-race-c-9597243 |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 April 2023 |date=30 January 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

Mettam and new Nationals leader Shane Love signed a new agreement between the two parties regarding the responsibilities of each party and allocation of resources, although it made little change to the previous agreement between Davies and Honey.{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=Winners and losers from new-look Opposition shadow cabinet |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/winners-and-losers-from-the-wa-liberal-partys-new-look-opposition-shadow-cabinet--c-9678140 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=7 February 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Mettam retained her existing portfolios and gained one new portfolio, child protection, within the new shadow cabinet. Mettam requested that Nick Goiran apologise for messages he wrote in a WhatsApp group called "The Clan".{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |title=Goiran may have saved his jobs if he apologised for role in ‘The Clan’ |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/so-be-it-nick-goiran-accepts-mettam-power-move-declares-clan-dead-20230131-p5cgsb.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=31 January 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Spagnolo |first1=Joe |title=Nick Goiran: Saying sorry to WA Liberal Party not part of plan |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/nick-goiran-saying-sorry-to-wa-liberal-party-not-part-of-plan-c-9649567 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=4 February 2023 |url-access=subscription}} He refused to apologise, resulting in him becoming the only Liberal MP not in the shadow cabinet.{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Jordan |title=Mettam makes good on Goiran threats |url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Mettam-makes-good-on-Goiran-threats |website=Business News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=7 February 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Peter Collier was also a member of The Clan, but he was retained in the shadow cabinet because he had apologised.{{cite web |last1=Perpitch |first1=Nicolas |title=New WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam moves to quash influence of factional powerbrokers |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-30/libby-mettam-nick-goiran-the-clan/101902292 |website=ABC News |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=30 January 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Hampton |first1=Shannon |last2=Zimmerman |first2=Josh |title=Liberal MP Nick Goiran refuses to apologise for leaked WhatsApp messages from ‘The Clan’ |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/liberal-mp-nick-goiran-refuses-to-apologise-for-leaked-whatsapp-messages-from-the-clan-c-9607364 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=31 January 2023 |url-access=subscription}} Mettam dropped the portfolios of disability services and child protection in November 2023.

In February 2024, Mettam requested the resignation of deputy Liberal leader and shadow treasurer Steve Thomas from the shadow cabinet after it was revealed he had been in contact with disgraced former premier turned lobbyist Brian Burke. Thomas had used Burke as a middleman to arrange a meeting with businessman John Poynton to talk about the Bluewaters Power Station in Collie.{{cite web |last1=Bourke |first1=Keane |last2=Pin |first2=Phoebe |title=WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam sacks her deputy Steve Thomas over Brian Burke admissions |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-27/libby-mettam-steve-thomas-wa-liberals-turmoil-brian-burke/103516804 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=27 February 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |title=Mettam makes Liberal deputy Steve Thomas quit over Burke dealings |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/mettam-makes-liberal-deputy-steve-thomas-quit-over-burke-dealings-20240227-p5f860.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=27 February 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Caporn |first1=Dylan |title=Steve Thomas quits Liberal frontbench over contact with Brian Burke after meeting with leader Libby Mettam |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/steve-thomas-contact-with-brian-burke-unacceptable-liberal-mp-says-ahead-of-meeting-with-libby-mettam-c-13745919 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=27 February 2024 |url-access=subscription}} This was revealed after Mettam had repeatedly claimed that Labor MPs had been in contact with Burke, having declared that she was "very comfortable in saying that there is no connection between Liberal Party members and Brian Burke".{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |title=Burke canvassed for Basil, claims he’s in contact with WA Liberals |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/burke-canvassed-for-basil-claims-he-s-in-contact-with-wa-liberals-20240223-p5f7dv.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=23 February 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=Shadow treasurer Steve Thomas used Brian Burke as a middleman despite Libby Mettam’s defiance |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/shadow-treasurer-steve-thomas-used-brian-burke-as-a-middleman-despite-libby-mettams-defiance-c-13738894 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=26 February 2024 |url-access=subscription}} Tjorn Sibma had also contacted Burke to discuss "electoral, legislative or policy" matters, but Mettam refused to demote him as well.{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=Liberal Tjorn Sibma wrote Brian Burke could contact him to discuss ‘electoral, legislative or policy’ matters |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/liberal-tjorn-sibma-wrote-brian-burke-could-contact-him-to-discuss-electoral-legislative-or-policy-matters-c-13748768 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=27 February 2024 |url-access=subscription}} Steve Martin was elected to replace Thomas as deputy leader.{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |title=WA Liberals reveal new deputy leader after Burke links force Thomas to step down |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/wa-liberals-reveal-new-deputy-leader-after-burke-links-force-thomas-to-step-down-20240228-p5f8gh.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=28 February 2024}} Three days later, Thomas was readmitted to the shadow cabinet with his former roles except tor treasurer and deputy leader, despite Mettam saying that any Labor minister who is in contact with Burke should be removed from the cabinet.{{cite web |last1=Bourke |first1=Keane |title=Former WA Liberal deputy Steve Thomas back on front bench days after losing portfolios over Brian Burke talks |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-01/wa-liberal-cabinet-reshuffle-after-steve-thomas-axed/103533244 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=1 March 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Lane |first1=Oliver |title=Steve Thomas keeps front bench seat after Burke revelations |url=https://www.bunburyherald.com.au/news/bunbury-herald/steve-thomas-keeps-front-bench-seat-after-burke-revelations-c-13790543 |website=Bunbury Herald |publisher=West Australian Newspapers |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=4 March 2024 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=McGinn |first1=Jack |title=Thomas avoids backbench in shadow cabinet tweak |url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Thomas-avoids-backbench-in-shadow-cabinet-tweak |website=Business News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=1 March 2024 |url-access=subscription}}

Since Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas's preselection as the Liberal Party candidate for Churchlands in January 2024, there has been speculation that the Liberal Party would make Zempilas its leader from outside Parliament, similar to how the Liberal National Party of Queensland made Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman its leader in 2011.{{cite web |last1=Towie |first1=Narelle |title=He's everywhere in Perth – but is Basil Zempilas the man to save the WA Liberals? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/26/perth-lord-mayor-basil-zempilas-parliament-run-wa-liberal-party |website=The Guardian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=27 January 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Rabe |first1=Tom |title=Zempilas’ shot at WA leadership 'very doable': Campbell Newman |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/zempilas-shot-at-wa-leadership-very-doable-campbell-newman-20240129-p5f0tm |website=Australian Financial Review |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=29 January 2024 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Bourke |first1=Keane |title=WA Liberals leader Libby Mettam tells Stateline how she plans to rebuild ahead of the state election |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-02/wa-liberls-leader-libby-mettam-speaks-to-stateline/103526188 |website=ABC News |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=2 March 2024}} By November 2024, Zempilas had ruled out challenging Mettam for the leadership, but would not rule out becoming leader if Mettam were to resign.{{cite web |last1=Spagnolo |first1=Joe |title=Basil Zempilas shuts down challenge to Libby Mettam’s Liberal leadership but leaves door open |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-election-2025/the-sunday-interview-basil-zempilas-gives-100pc-guarantee-he-wont-challenge-mettam-for-liberal-leadership-c-16714140 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=17 November 2024 |url-access=subscription}} Polling published by The West Australian newspaper on 26 November 2024 claimed that the Liberal Party faced another landslide defeat in the 2025 state election and that it would fare better if it replaced Mettam as leader with Zempilas.{{cite web |last1=Page |first1=Jessica |title=Liberal polling suggests election wipeout unless Libby Mettam hands over reins |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/liberal-polling-suggests-election-wipeout-unless-libby-mettam-hands-over-reins-c-16873255 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=26 November 2024 |url-access=subscription}} During a party room meeting that day, Neil Thomson moved a motion that the role of campaign leader be separated from the role of parliamentary leader, but the motion failed.{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |last2=McNeill |first2=Heather |title='Not a quitter': Mettam retains leadership after Zempilas push fails |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/i-m-not-a-quitter-mettam-responds-to-catastrophic-polling-that-suggests-zempilas-should-be-liberal-leader-20241126-p5ktk6.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=26 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |title=Libby Mettam survives leadership test, but failed campaign reveals disunity still plaguing WA Liberals |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-27/leadership-test-leaves-wa-liberals-bruised-fractured-analysis/104650380 |website=ABC News |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=27 November 2024}} Zempilas denied having anything to do with the poll, but it was soon revealed that the poll was commissioned by Zempilas's campaign manager Cam Sinclair via his company Ammo Marketing.{{cite web |last1=Rabe |first1=Tom |title=Zempilas’ ex-campaign manager linked to Liberal crisis poll |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/zempilas-ex-campaign-manager-linked-to-liberal-crisis-poll-20241126-p5ktoa |website=Australian Financial Review |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=26 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |title=Zempilas’ campaign manager facilitated secret leadership poll for mystery businessman |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/zempilas-campaign-manager-facilitated-secret-leadership-poll-for-mystery-businessman-20241126-p5ktqk.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=26 November 2024}} Sinclair quit as campaign manager two days later.{{cite web |last1=Perpitch |first1=Nicolas |last2=Shine |first2=Rhiannon |title=Basil Zempilas's campaign manager quits, apologises over secret polling on WA Liberal leadership |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-28/basil-zempilas-campaign-manager-apologises-polling-wa-liberals/104658904 |website=ABC News |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=28 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Rabe |first1=Tom |title=Zempilas’ campaign manager quits after stoking WA Liberal crisis |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/zempilas-campaign-manager-quits-after-stoking-liberal-crisis-20241128-p5kudd |website=Australian Financial Review |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=28 November 2024}}

Following the leadership motion, Thomson resigned from the shadow cabinet. The following month, Mettam let Goiran back into the frontbench as shadow attorney-general,{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |title=‘Clan’ powerbroker back in the fold as Mettam rebuilds frontbench with old parts |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/clan-powerbroker-back-in-the-fold-as-mettam-rebuilds-frontbench-with-old-parts-20241129-p5kuqr.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=29 November 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Bourke |first1=Keane |title='Line in the sand' washes away as WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam re-appoints Nick Goiran to shadow cabinet |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-10/libby-mettam-appoints-nick-goiran-shadow-attorney-general/104701898 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=10 December 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Caporn |first1=Dylan |title=Nick Goiran in shock return to Libby Mettam’s shadow cabinet |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/nick-goiran-in-shock-return-to-libby-mettams-shadow-cabinet--c-17013552 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=9 December 2024 |url-access=subscription}} despite earlier saying she would "probably not" ever let Goiran in.{{cite web |last1=Murray |first1=Jordan |title=No coming back for Goiran: Mettam |url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/No-coming-back-for-Goiran-Mettam |website=Business News |access-date=9 December 2024 |date=31 January 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=New Liberal leader Libby Mettam ‘confident’ of colleagues’ backing against powerbroker Nick Goiran |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/new-liberal-leader-libby-mettam-confident-of-colleagues-backing-against-powerbroker-nick-goiran-c-9609387 |website=The West Australian |access-date=9 December 2024 |date=31 January 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

Throughout 2023, Mettam tried to reach an agreement with Nationals leader Shane Love regarding transferring the role of leader of the opposition to Mettam. The Nationals wanted a combined Legislative Council ticket between the two parties in exchange, which would have guaranteed the Nationals more elected members in the Legislative Council than otherwise would be elected. Mettam declined to take the offer, saying that she should be opposition leader because "there are more Liberals the Nationals in the opposition now, and there will be more Liberals than Nationals after the next election". After Nationals MP Merome Beard defected to the Liberal Party in October 2023 giving each party three members in the Legislative Assembly, Speaker Michelle Roberts determined that Love would remain opposition leader unless the two parties reached an agreement.{{cite web |last1=Dietsch |first1=Jake |last2=Le May |first2=Rebecca |last3=Caporn |first3=Dylan |title=Defiant Opposition leader Shane Love says conditions attached if Liberal leader Libby Mettam wants his role |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/speaker-michelle-roberts-backs-opposition-leader-shane-love-to-remain-in-his-role-c-12398795 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=1 November 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Dietsch |first1=Jake |last2=Caporn |first2=Dylan |last3=Le May |first3=Rebecca |title=Libby Mettam says she’s ready to become Opposition leader after key MP’s defection upends the National Party |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/nationals-defector-merome-beard-insists-im-not-a-traitor-backs-liberal-libby-mettam-as-opposition-leader-c-12397772 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=1 November 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

As a result of the strained relationship between the two parties, the Nationals announced that they would run candidates for seats in Perth as well as the rural areas they usually run candidates in. The Nationals also announced they would run a candidate against Mettam in Vasse, although they have yet to select a candidate.{{cite web |last1=Hately |first1=Warren |title=Nationals WA defend taking on Libby Mettam in Vasse as rumours swirl of no candidate pick |url=https://www.bdtimes.com.au/news/busselton-dunsborough-times/nationals-wa-defend-taking-on-libby-mettam-in-vasse-as-rumours-swirl-of-no-candidate-pick-c-15673197 |website=Busselton Dunsborough Times |publisher=West Australian Newspapers |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=16 August 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Spagnolo |first1=Joe |title=WA Nationals leader Shane Love says party will run a candidate against Liberal leader Libby Mettam in Vasse |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/wa-nationals-leader-shane-love-says-party-will-run-a-candidate-against-liberal-leader-libby-mettam-in-vasse-c-15795781 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=25 August 2024 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Hately |first1=Warren |title=Nationals WA struggling to find Vasse challenger against Opposition ally Libby Mettam |url=https://www.amrtimes.com.au/news/augusta-margaret-river-times/nationals-wa-struggling-to-find-vasse-challenger-against-opposition-ally-libby-mettam-c-16813737 |website=Augusta-Margaret River Times |publisher=West Australian Newspapers |access-date=19 January 2025 |date=22 November 2024}} In the end, no Nationals candidate ran against Mettam.

After the government selected Webuild as the contractor to build the women and babies hospital in December 2024,{{cite web |last1=Hastie |first1=Hamish |title=Cook government moves to lock in builders for new women’s and babies’ hospital before March poll |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/cook-government-moves-to-lock-in-builders-for-new-women-s-and-babies-hospital-before-march-poll-20241220-p5kzzd.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=20 December 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Page |first1=Jessica |title=Sign of intent: Cook Government digs in on Murdoch women’s hospital |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/sign-of-intent-cook-government-digs-in-on-murdoch-womens-hospital-c-17146995 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=20 December 2024 |url-access=subscription}} Mettam declared she would end negotiations with the company if she became premier.{{cite web |last1=Burton |first1=Jesinta |title=Labor, Libs in tug-of-war over $1.8bn hospital plan as election looms |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/labor-libs-in-tug-of-war-over-1-8bn-hospital-plan-as-election-looms-20250110-p5l3ed.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=10 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Dietsch |first1=Jake |title=Libby Mettam writes to Webuild promising to rip up contract to build Women and Babies hospital at Murdoch |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/libby-mettam-writes-to-webuild-promising-to-rip-up-contract-to-build-women-and-babies-hospital-at-murdoch-c-17343318 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=10 January 2025 |url-access=subscription}}

In April 2023, Mettam publicly came out in support of the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament being advocated by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which was contrary to the position of the federal Liberal Party, led by Peter Dutton.{{cite web | url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/voice-to-parliament-wa-liberal-leader-libby-mettam-defies-federal-party-position-says-she-will-vote-yes-c-10262046 | title=Mettam defies Federal party position on Voice to Parliament | date=5 April 2023 }}{{cite web |last1=Curtis |first1=Katina |title=Indigenous Voice to Parliament: Libby Mettam has not joined Liberals for Yes campaign |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/federal-politics/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-libby-mettam-has-not-joined-liberals-for-yes-campaign-c-10868273 |website=The West Australian |access-date=5 June 2023 |date=4 June 2023 |url-access=subscription}}

However by August 2023, Mettam walked back her support for the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament indicating her intention to vote no.{{cite web | url=https://thewest.com.au/opinion/libby-mettam-why-i-can-no-longer-vote-yes-on-voice-to-parliament-c-11546247 | title=Why I can no longer vote Yes on Voice to Parliament | date=10 August 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://thewest.com.au/opinion/libby-mettam/libby-mettam-wa-liberal-leader-has-revealed-why-she-no-longer-supports-the-voice-to-parliament--c-11549063 | title='Why I can't vote Yes': Mettam reveals why she changed mind | date=10 August 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/libby-mettam-wa-liberal-leader-withdraws-her-support-for-the-voice-to-parliament--c-11537082 | title='My support is waning': Libby Mettam withdraws Voice support | date=9 August 2023 }}

In January 2025, Mettam declared that she would not stand in front of the Aboriginal flag at press conferences if she became premier, following federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton's stance on the Aboriginal flag. She said that "when I speak to {{sic|West Australians|expected=Western Australians}}, I intend to speak for all of them and only the state flag and the national flag achieve that."{{cite news |last=Page |first=Jessica |title=Libby Mettam backs Peter Dutton’s stance, vows not to stand in front of Aboriginal flag |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/libby-mettam-backs-peter-duttons-stance-vows-not-to-stand-in-front-of-aboriginal-flag--c-17410096 |work=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=16 January 2025 |url-access=subscription}} Her position has been widely criticised. Former Liberal minister for Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt said that her stance was "short-sighted" and "divisive", and pointed out the hypocrisy of Mettam being fine with standing in front of flags with the Union Jack on them. Premier Cook said that her stance was "cynical" and "desperate" and abandoned four to five decades of work on reconciliation.{{cite web |last1=Withers |first1=Courtney |last2=Shine |first2=Rhiannon |title=WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam labelled 'desperate' and 'divisive' over Aboriginal flag stance |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-17/wa-liberal-leader-libby-mettam-aboriginal-flag/104829360 |website=ABC News |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=17 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Burton |first1=Jesinta |title=Reconciliation body weighs in as Cook unleashes on Mettam over ‘desperate’ Aboriginal flag stance |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/sad-desperate-cynical-cook-unleashes-on-mettam-over-refusal-to-stand-beside-aboriginal-flag-20250117-p5l57w.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=17 January 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Page |first1=Jessica |title=Premier Roger Cook accuses Liberal leader Libby Mettam of copying ‘toxic’ Dutton policy over Aboriginal flag |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-election-2025/premier-accuses-liberal-leader-of-copying-toxic-dutton-policy-c-17417771 |website=The West Australian |access-date=18 January 2025 |date=17 January 2025 |url-access=subscription}}

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{{s-ttl |title=Member for Vasse |years=18 October 2014 – present}}

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{{s-ttl |title=Deputy Leader of the Opposition |years=24 November 2020 – 13 March 2021}}

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{{s-ttl |title=Deputy Leader of the Western Australian Liberal Party |years=24 November 2020 – 30 January 2023}}

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{{s-ttl |title=Leader of the Western Australian Liberal Party |years=30 January 2023 – present}}

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Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia

Category:Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly

Category:Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts alumni

Category:Curtin University alumni

Category:People from Geraldton

Category:21st-century Australian politicians

Category:21st-century Australian women politicians

Category:Women members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly

Category:Women deputy opposition leaders