Nick Goiran
{{good article}}
{{short description|Australian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = The Honourable
| name = Nick Goiran
| honorific-suffix = MLC
| image = Nick Goiran speaking at the Threats to Freedom of Speech 2012 Conference 02.jpg
| caption = Goiran in 2012
| alt = Man in glasses wearing suit
| office = Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council
| constituency = South Metropolitan Region
| term_start = 22 May 2009
| term_end =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| majority =
| birth_name = Nicolas Pierre Goiran
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1977|10|15}}
| birth_place = Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse = Jody
| children =
| occupation = Lawyer
| alma_mater = Murdoch University
| party = Liberal ({{circa|2006}}–present)
| website = {{url|https://www.nickgoiran.com.au/}}
}}
Nicolas Pierre Goiran (born 15 October 1977) is an Australian politician who has been a member for the South Metropolitan Region of the Western Australian Legislative Council (MLC), the upper house of the Parliament of Western Australia, since 22 May 2009.
A member of the Liberal Party, Australia's major centre-right political party, Goiran is a conservative Christian. He is pro-life, and opposes same-sex marriage, euthanasia and surrogacy. He has been outspoken on the issue of elder abuse, and while he supports vaccinations, he opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-25 |title=Goiran questions lawfulness of mandated jabs |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations-in-wa-nick-goiran-questions-lawfulness-of-mandated-jobs-ng-b882052065z |access-date=2025-02-08 |website=The West Australian |language=en}} Goiran has twice been accused of filibustering: he spoke for over 22 hours in total on a surrogacy bill in 2019, delaying it until the government relented and publicly released the $225,000 report it had commissioned into surrogacy;{{Citation |title=HANSARD |date=2012-10-02 |work=Understanding Act of Parliament |pages=113–115 |url=https://doi.org/10.4324/9781843143475-26 |access-date=2025-02-08 |publisher=Routledge-Cavendish |isbn=978-1-84314-347-5}} He proposed 357 amendments to a voluntary assisted dying bill and scrutinised every clause.
Goiran, alongside fellow MLC Peter Collier, is a Liberal Party power broker. After the March 2021 election, ABC News said that it was unrealistic to achieve preselection in the Perth metropolitan area for the Liberal Party without the support of Goiran or Collier. In August 2021, it was revealed that Goiran was part of a WhatsApp group called "The Clan", whose purpose was to discuss branch stacking and the preselection of candidates. Following the reveal of that group, Goiran was temporarily removed from the shadow cabinet and was subject to an internal Liberal Party investigation which was eventually dismissed due to a lack of evidence.
Early life and career
Nicolas Pierre Goiran was born on 15 October 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.{{cite web |title=Hon Nicolas (Nick) Pierre Goiran |url=https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/MPHistoricalData.nsf/(Lookup)/C0DEF6557C80852848257CB6002BE9E6 |website=Parliament of Western Australia |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084101/https://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/library/MPHistoricalData.nsf/(Lookup)/C0DEF6557C80852848257CB6002BE9E6 |url-status=live }} He is the son of French immigrants Gerard and Madeleine Goiran; his father worked in the finance industry and his mother as a French teacher. His parents were both officeholders and parliamentary candidates for the Christian Democratic Party.{{cite web |url=https://thewest.com.au/opinion/inside-cover/do-these-guys-ring-any-bells-for-you-ng-b88383929z |title=Do these guys ring any bells for you? |website=The West Australian |date=13 February 2017 |access-date=14 February 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214112100/https://thewest.com.au/opinion/inside-cover/do-these-guys-ring-any-bells-for-you-ng-b88383929z |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://trowelandsword.crca.org.au/Contents/Back%20Issues/Feature%20Articles/2000s/2002/ArchF200208art2.htm |title=Redeeming politics through Christian Independent or Small Parties |website=Trowel & Sword |date=13 June 2002 |access-date=14 February 2023 |archive-date=14 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230214112100/https://trowelandsword.crca.org.au/Contents/Back%20Issues/Feature%20Articles/2000s/2002/ArchF200208art2.htm |url-status=live }} Goiran attended Rehoboth Christian Primary School and Rehoboth Christian High School in the southern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, where he graduated as dux.{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |last2=Spagnolo |first2=Joe |title=Why Liberal powerbroker Nick Goiran’s views deserve more scrutiny than ever before |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/why-liberal-powerbroker-nick-goirans-views-deserve-more-scrutiny-than-ever-before-ng-b881998095z |website=The West Australian |access-date=13 June 2022 |date=18 September 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=20 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920062543/https://thewest.com.au/politics/why-liberal-powerbroker-nick-goirans-views-deserve-more-scrutiny-than-ever-before-ng-b881998095z |url-status=live }}
Goiran studied at Murdoch University, graduating with a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce double degree, majoring in banking and finance. From 1998 to 2009, Goiran worked for several different law firms, and in December 2000, he was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia as a barrister and solicitor.{{cite web |title=About Nick |url=https://www.nickgoiran.com.au/about |website=Nick Goiran |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084103/https://www.nickgoiran.com.au/about |url-status=live }} He eventually rose to equity partner at Bruce Havilah & Associates, where he specialised in civil litigation. He was a board member of the Association for Christian Education (the operator of the Rehoboth schools) from October 2001 to March 2007 and from March 2009 onwards, serving as president from April 2005 to March 2007. From November 2005, he was a director of Christian Education National Ltd. From October 2008, he was a board member of the Citizens Advice Bureau.
He met his wife Jody working as a basketball umpire while in law school.{{cite web |last1=Spagnolo |first1=Joe |title=The Sunday Interview: Liberal 'powerbroker' Nick Goiran says he has nothing to say sorry for |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/wa-election-2025/the-sunday-interview-liberal-powerbroker-nick-goiran-says-he-has-nothing-to-say-sorry-for-c-17040756 |website=The West Australian |access-date=6 February 2025 |date=15 December 2024 |url-access=subscription}} They married on 6 January 2001 in Bull Creek and he has one son and four daughters.
Political career
Prior to entering the Parliament of Western Australia, Goiran was a member of the Christian Democratic Party.{{cite web |last1=Probyn |first1=Andrew |title=Ascent of Christian Right splits Liberals |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/ascent-of-christian-right-splits-liberals-ng-ya-136464 |website=The West Australian |access-date=28 February 2022 |date=8 February 2016 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228051608/https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/ascent-of-christian-right-splits-liberals-ng-ya-136464 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Bowe |first1=William |title=Poll Bludger: religious right comes up trumps in Lib preselection battles |url=https://www.crikey.com.au/2016/04/11/poll-bludger-religious-right-comes-up-trumps-in-lib-preselection-battles/ |website=Crikey |access-date=28 February 2022 |date=11 April 2016 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228051609/https://www.crikey.com.au/2016/04/11/poll-bludger-religious-right-comes-up-trumps-in-lib-preselection-battles/ |url-status=live }} By 2006, Goiran had joined the Liberal Party with the goal of being elected to parliament. He unsuccessfully sought preselection for the safe Labor seat of Peel for the 2007 Peel state by-election.{{cite news |title=Barry House looks to Federal seat |work=The West Australian |date=23 November 2006 |page=9}} In February 2008, the Liberal Party preselected him as the second candidate on their ticket for the South Metropolitan Region of the Western Australian Legislative Council, the parliament's upper house, replacing the retiring Barbara Scott.{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Kim |last2=Campbell |first2=Kate |title=Old guard's switch to Parliament lets young guns take union reins |work=The West Australian |date=19 February 2008 |page=6}}{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Antony |title=2008 Western Australian Election: South Metropolitan Region |url=https://www.abc.net.au/elections/wa/2008/guide/smet.htm |website=ABC News |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228051608/https://www.abc.net.au/elections/wa/2008/guide/smet.htm |url-status=live }} At the 2008 state election, he was elected as a member of the Legislative Council (MLC), with his term commencing on 22 May 2009. In February 2016, Goiran replaced Simon O'Brien as the top candidate on the Liberal's South Metropolitan Region ticket for the 2017 election.
On 23 September 2016, Goiran became the first parliamentary secretary to the minister for mental health and minister for child protection.{{cite news |last1=Emerson |first1=Daniel |title=Reshuffle prize for Lib kingpin |work=The West Australian |date=23 September 2016 |page=4}} From March 2017 to February 2023, he was the secretary of the parliamentary Liberal Party. In March 2017 he obtained three roles: the secretary of the parliamentary Liberal Party, shadow minister for child protection, and shadow minister for the prevention of family and domestic violence. From February 2020, Goiran was also the shadow minister for commerce. From April 2021 to February 2023, Goiran was the shadow minister to the attorney general, shadow minister for child protection, and shadow minister for industrial relations.
In 2014 Goiran began to gain power within the Liberal Party by building support within the southern suburbs of Perth. By 2016, he had become a key powerbroker alongside fellow MLC Peter Collier and Senator Mathias Cormann, and he had become the leader of the "evangelical right" of the WA Liberal Party.{{cite web |last1=Beyer |first1=Mark |title=Skirmishes behind the battlelines |url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Skirmishes-behind-the-battlelines |website=Business News |access-date=8 February 2023 |date=29 March 2016 |archive-date=1 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701102154/https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Skirmishes-behind-the-battlelines |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=WA Liberal leadership: Minister Tony Simpson resigns over loss of faith in Premier Colin Barnett |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-17/wa-govt-mister-tony-simpson-to-resign/7854928 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=17 September 2016 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084057/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-17/wa-govt-mister-tony-simpson-to-resign/7854928 |url-status=live }} Following the resignation of Liberal Party leader Liza Harvey on 22 November 2020, Goiran and Collier backed Zak Kirkup over Dean Nalder to replace Harvey as leader. As a result, Kirkup won the resulting leadership vote. Following this, Nalder criticised Goiran and Collier, saying they are not good for the party.{{cite web |last1=Kagi |first1=Jacob |title=Dean Nalder, former Barnett government minister, to quit politics ahead of WA election |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-02/dean-nalder-to-quit-politics-with-march-state-election-looming/12940572 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=2 December 2020 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227085612/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-12-02/dean-nalder-to-quit-politics-with-march-state-election-looming/12940572 |url-status=live }} After the March 2021 election, ABC News said that it was unrealistic to achieve preselection in the Perth metropolitan area for the Liberal Party without the support of Goiran or Collier.{{cite web |last1=Kagi |first1=Jacob |title=The WA election has left the Liberals decimated and in the wilderness, facing a long road back |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-14/the-wa-election-has-left-the-liberal-party-in-ruins-analysis/13244530 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=14 March 2021 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227085606/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-14/the-wa-election-has-left-the-liberal-party-in-ruins-analysis/13244530 |url-status=live }}
At the March 2021 election, the Labor Party won a majority in the Legislative Council for the first time ever. In May 2021, before the new Legislative Council was sworn in, Goiran introduced a motion to establish a select committee into the transparency and accountability of government. The committee was to be composed mostly of non-Labor MLCs and have a member of the opposition as its chair.{{cite web |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |title=Nick Goiran exploits anomaly before McGowan government takes control of WA's Upper House |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-09/nick-goiran-exploits-wa-parliament-upper-house-anomaly/100125606 |website=ABC News |access-date=2 March 2022 |date=9 May 2021 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302054102/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-09/nick-goiran-exploits-wa-parliament-upper-house-anomaly/100125606 |url-status=live }} Instead, the government and the opposition reached a compromise: two existing committees were to be chaired by Liberal MLCs and one existing committee was to be composed of mostly non-Labor MLCs.{{cite web |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |title=WA opposition wins control of two Legislative Council committees after Nick Goiran committee motion |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-12/wa-opposition-wins-scrutiny-committee/100134448 |website=ABC News |access-date=2 March 2022 |date=12 May 2021 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302054100/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-12/wa-opposition-wins-scrutiny-committee/100134448 |url-status=live }}
=The Clan=
In August 2021, Goiran was revealed to be part of a WhatsApp group called "The Clan", alongside Collier, Cormann and other Liberal Party members. Leaked messages showed that the group discussed branch stacking and the preselection of candidates.{{cite web |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |last2=Borrello |first2=Eliza |title=WA Liberals' election loss to be laid bare as WhatsApp messages from Mathias Cormann's 'Clan' offer glimpse |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-27/the-wa-liberals-stunning-implosion-is-about-to-be-laid-bare/100411550 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=27 August 2021 |archive-date=12 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912202531/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-27/the-wa-liberals-stunning-implosion-is-about-to-be-laid-bare/100411550 |url-status=live }} Two Liberal Party branches in the southern suburbs of Perth requested that the party send Goiran to the party's appeals and disciplinary committee, which has the power to censure, suspend or expel any member of the party.{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=Nick Goiran and Peter Collier: WA Liberal Party start attempt to expel Upper House MPs |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/nick-goiran-and-peter-collier-wa-liberal-party-start-attempt-to-expel-upper-house-mps-ng-b882054689z |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=28 October 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084057/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/nick-goiran-and-peter-collier-wa-liberal-party-start-attempt-to-expel-upper-house-mps-ng-b882054689z |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=Nick Goiran facing new push to have him expelled from WA Liberal Party over The Clan WhatsApp messages |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/attempt-to-expel-members-of-the-clan-from-the-wa-liberal-party-over-whatsapp-messages-grows-c-4757958 |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=30 November 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084108/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/attempt-to-expel-members-of-the-clan-from-the-wa-liberal-party-over-whatsapp-messages-grows-c-4757958 |url-status=live }} The Liberal Reform Coalition, a group formed by party elders such as Norman Moore and former Barnett government treasurer Mike Nahan, called for Goiran and Collier's resignation from the party at the group's inaugural meeting in December 2021.{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=Liberal Reform Coalition call for Clan members Nick Goiran and Peter Collier to 'immediately resign' |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/liberal-reform-coalition-call-for-clan-members-nick-goiran-and-peter-collier-to-immediately-resign--c-4779577 |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=1 December 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084059/https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/liberal-reform-coalition-call-for-clan-members-nick-goiran-and-peter-collier-to-immediately-resign--c-4779577 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Holly |title=Renewed push for WA Liberal MPs Collier and Goiran to resign |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/renewed-push-for-wa-liberal-mps-collier-and-goiran-to-resign-20211202-p59e6w.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=2 December 2021 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084057/https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/renewed-push-for-wa-liberal-mps-collier-and-goiran-to-resign-20211202-p59e6w.html |url-status=live }} The Coalition was citicised within the party base, with one senior member referring to it as a bunch of "Moore-ons".{{Cite web |last=Hastie |first=Hamish |date=2022-07-20 |title=‘True Liberals’ called to action to repair decimated WA party |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/true-liberals-called-to-action-to-repair-decimated-wa-party-20220720-p5b35c.html |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}}
In an addendum to a Liberal Party report which reviewed the party's 2021 election loss, the members of The Clan were described as exhibiting "odious behaviour".{{cite web |last1=Adshead |first1=Gary |title=Liberal review authors call for reform after 'The Clan' WhatsApp messages declared valid |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/liberal-review-authors-call-for-reform-after-the-clan-whatsapp-messages-declared-valid-20210902-p58o52.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=2 September 2021 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084055/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/liberal-review-authors-call-for-reform-after-the-clan-whatsapp-messages-declared-valid-20210902-p58o52.html |url-status=live }} Goiran threatened legal action against the Liberal Party's state director and the authors of the report, with his lawyer saying that allegations in the report were "totally false, without basis and constitute serious defamation of him".{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=Nick Goiran: Liberal MP issues defamation threat against party's State director |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/nick-goiran-liberal-mp-issues-defamation-threat-against-partys-state-director-ng-b881995057z |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=7 September 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084105/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/nick-goiran-liberal-mp-issues-defamation-threat-against-partys-state-director-ng-b881995057z |url-status=live }} Goiran and the Liberal Party reached a non-financial settlement in February 2022, with the party agreeing to withdraw the report.{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=WA Liberals back down over Nick Goiran stoush |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/wa-liberals-back-down-over-nick-goiran-stoush--c-5596010 |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=8 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084103/https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/wa-liberals-back-down-over-nick-goiran-stoush--c-5596010 |url-status=live }} Additionally, in January 2022, an investigation into Goiran was launched by the party’s appeals and disciplinary committee.{{cite news |title=Libs' bigwig set to face the music |work=The West Australian |date=13 January 2022 |page=3}} The disciplinary committee found the complaints against Mr Goiran had been unsubstantiated due to a lack of evidence.{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=WA Liberal Party investigation clears Nick Goiran over his involvement in leaked ‘Clan’ messages |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/wa-liberal-party-investigation-clears-nick-goiran-over-his-involvement-in-leaked-clan-messages--c-8067833 |website=The West Australian |access-date=19 February 2025 |date=31 August 2022}}
Following Libby Mettam's election as Liberal Party leader in a leadership spill in January 2023, Mettam requested that Goiran apologise for messages he wrote in the WhatsApp group.{{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=25 April 2023 |date=31 January 2023 |archive-date=16 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316161743/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/so-be-it-nick-goiran-accepts-mettam-power-move-declares-clan-dead-20230131-p5cgsb.html |url-status=live }}{{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=25 April 2023 |date=4 February 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425072717/https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/nick-goiran-saying-sorry-to-wa-liberal-party-not-part-of-plan-c-9649567 |url-status=live }} Goiran refused to apologise, resulting in his removal from the shadow cabinet, making him the only member of the opposition not in the shadow cabinet.{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=Winners and losers from the WA Liberal party’s 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=7 February 2023 |date=7 February 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207091648/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/winners-and-losers-from-the-wa-liberal-partys-new-look-opposition-shadow-cabinet--c-9678140 |url-status=live }}{{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=8 February 2023 |date=7 February 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208030504/https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Mettam-makes-good-on-Goiran-threats |url-status=live }} She also tried to remove Goiran as the Liberal Party parliamentary secretary. A majority of Liberal MPs voted against her motion,{{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=30 January 2023 |date=30 January 2023 |archive-date=5 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205101352/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-01-30/libby-mettam-nick-goiran-the-clan/101902292 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Genovese |first1=Michael |last2=Hastie |first2=Hamish |title=New WA Liberal leader to strip ‘The Clan’ member Goiran of shadow ministries |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/new-wa-liberal-party-leader-libby-mettam-takes-on-the-clan-20230130-p5cglu.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=30 January 2023 |date=30 January 2023 |archive-date=30 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130063711/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/new-wa-liberal-party-leader-libby-mettam-takes-on-the-clan-20230130-p5cglu.html |url-status=live }} but three days later, Goiran resigned from the role.{{cite web |last1=Bourke |first1=Keane |last2=Carmody |first2=James |title=New WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam succeeds in removing Nick Goiran as he relinquishes role |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-02/nick-goiran-steps-aside-under-new-wa-liberal-leader-libby-mettam/101915920 |website=ABC News |access-date=3 February 2023 |date=2 February 2023 |archive-date=2 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202220830/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-02/nick-goiran-steps-aside-under-new-wa-liberal-leader-libby-mettam/101915920 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=New Liberal leader Libby Mettam refuses to discuss Nick Goiran’s party future after voluntarily standing down |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/liberal-powerbroker-nick-goiran-has-voluntarily-stood-down-as-partys-secretary-making-way-for-libby-mettam-c-9623754 |website=The West Australian |access-date=3 February 2023 |date=2 February 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203054958/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/liberal-powerbroker-nick-goiran-has-voluntarily-stood-down-as-partys-secretary-making-way-for-libby-mettam-c-9623754 |url-status=live }} When asked whether she would ever let Goiran back into the shadow cabinet, Mettam said "probably not"{{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}} However, in November 2024, Mettam let Goiran back into the shadow cabinet and made him 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=6 December 2024 |date=29 November 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=9 December 2024 |date=9 December 2024 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |last1=Zaunmayr |first1=Tom |title=Goiran back in Liberal shadow cabinet |url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Goiran-back-in-Liberal-shadow-cabinet |website=Business News |access-date=9 December 2024 |date=9 December 2024 |url-access=subscription}}
Due to electoral reforms, the six regions of the Legislative Council were abolished and replaced by a single state-wide region for the 2025 state election.{{cite web |last1=Green |first1=Antony |title=Legislative Council Preview |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/elections/wa/2025/guide/lc-preview |website=ABC News |access-date=19 February 2025 |date=21 January 2025}} Goiran has been preselected in the second position of the Liberal Party's state-wide Legislative Council ticket.{{cite web |last1=McGinn |first1=Jack |title=Libs settle on top Upper House ticket spots |url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Libs-settle-on-top-Upper-House-ticket-spots |website=Business News |access-date=6 April 2024 |date=25 March 2024 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |title=Clan leader Nick Goiran gets sweet Upper House ticket spot |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/clan-leader-nick-goiran-gets-sweet-upper-house-ticket-spot--c-14298669 |website=The West Australian |access-date=21 April 2024 |date=13 April 2024 |url-access=subscription}}
Political views
Goiran identifies as a conservative, saying that human life should be protected "from conception until natural death, and that lifelong marriage between a man and a woman guarantees children their biological birthright of a mother and a father". ABC News and The West Australian have described him as a "vocal conservative Christian". In his maiden speech to parliament, he said that Labor's plans to decriminalise and regulate prostitution (similar to the existing laws in New South Wales, Victoria and the territories) were what prompted him to leave the legal profession and run for parliament. He put forward the "Swedish model", which makes prostitution legal but buying sex and brothel ownership illegal.{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Yasmine |title=Legal prostitution wrong: new MP |work=The West Australian |date=6 June 2009 |page=60}} In August 2013, Goiran spoke out against same-sex marriage in parliament, saying that it could lead to an increase in incest and polygamy. Premier and Liberal Party leader Colin Barnett said that Goiran's comments were inappropriate.{{cite web |last1=MacMillan |first1=Jade |title=WA MP Nick Goiran says legalising same sex marriage could lead to unintended consequences |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-16/marriage-row/4891202 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=16 August 2013 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227085609/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-16/marriage-row/4891202 |url-status=live }} In May 2017, Goiran moved a motion for a parliamentary inquiry into elder abuse. He wanted the inquiry to consider whether elder abuse should be made into a specific offense.{{cite web |last1=Carmody |first1=Rebecca |title=Liberal MP Nick Goiran calls for parliamentary action on elder abuse |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-30/liberal-mp-calls-for-action-on-elder-abuse/8571290 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=30 May 2017 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084104/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-30/liberal-mp-calls-for-action-on-elder-abuse/8571290 |url-status=live }}
=Gender=
In 2019, during a debate on a gender reassignment amendment bill, Goiran said that people considering a sex change should receive "psychological treatment". In March 2023, he voiced his support for Victorian Liberal MP Moira Deeming after she attended the anti-transgender "Let Women Speak" rally, organised by British activist Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull and gate-crashed by neo-Nazis. Deeming was later suspended from the party for nine months before being expelled from the party.{{cite web |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Josh |title=Nick Goiran throws support behind Moira Deeming, MP facing expulsion for neo-Nazi debacle at anti-trans rally |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/nick-goiran-throws-support-behind-moira-deeming-mp-facing-expulsion-for-neo-nazi-debacle-at-anti-trans-rally-c-10157868 |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 March 2023 |date=27 March 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=27 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327032650/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/nick-goiran-throws-support-behind-moira-deeming-mp-facing-expulsion-for-neo-nazi-debacle-at-anti-trans-rally-c-10157868 |url-status=live }} Following this, Deeming successfully sued John Pesutto, leader of the Victorian Liberal Party, for defamation after he publicly accused her of associating and sympathising with neo-Nazis and white supremacists. The court awarded her $300,000 in damages, stating that Pesutto's comments were false and likely to damage her reputation.{{Cite news |date=2024-12-11 |title=Victorian Liberal leader vows to stay on after defamation suit loss |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-12/john-pesutto-moira-deeming-defamation-verdict-liberal-party/104713592 |access-date=2025-02-08 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}} Deeming was readmitted to the Victorian Liberal Party just minutes before a leadership spill that saw Brad Battin replace John Pesutto as party leader.{{Cite web |last=David Wu and Amy Roulston |first= |date=27 December 2024 |title=Moira Deeming readmitted to Liberal party room one week after failed motion, receives apology from John Pesutto |url=https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/politics/moira-deeming-readmitted-to-liberal-party-room-one-week-after-failed-motion-in-wake-of-john-pesutto-losing-defamation-case/news-story/47244881744c9ac592936f1fae80c85e}} Nick subsequently congratulated Moira for her victory.{{Cite web |date=27 December 2024 |title=Hon Nick Goiran MLC |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Bc8ha4Yw3/ |website=Facebook}}
=Abortion=
WAtoday has described Goiran as "one of the staunchest pro-life campaigners in WA parliament". He has campaigned for parliament to inquire into the deaths of 27 babies born alive after attempted abortions since 1999. In 2017, Goiran tabled in parliament a petition calling for the inquiry signed by 7,243 people.{{cite web |last1=Hondros |first1=Nathan |title=Life v Choice: Campaigners mark 20 years of legal abortion in WA |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/life-v-choice-campaigners-mark-20-years-of-legal-abortion-in-wa-20180528-p4zhxv.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=28 May 2018 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084100/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/life-v-choice-campaigners-mark-20-years-of-legal-abortion-in-wa-20180528-p4zhxv.html |url-status=live }} In 2021, Goiran was one of three Legislative Council members that opposed a bill to criminalise protesting within {{convert|150|m}} of abortion clinics.{{cite web |last1=Shine |first1=Rhiannon |title=Abortion clinic protests banned in WA as safe access zones bill approved to protect women |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-12/wa-abortion-clinic-protests-banned-under-safe-access-zones-bill/100366664 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=12 August 2021 |archive-date=12 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812090258/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-12/wa-abortion-clinic-protests-banned-under-safe-access-zones-bill/100366664 |url-status=live }} Goiran opposed a 2023 bill that liberalised Western Australia's abortion laws by removing abortion from the criminal code, removing a requirement for mandatory counselling, removing the need for women to be referred for an abortion by a doctor, and increasing the gestational limit at which additional restrictions apply to abortions from 20 weeks to 23 weeks.{{cite web |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/labor-mp-kate-doust-speaks-in-support-of-liberal-mp-nick-goiran-breaks-party-ranks-on-abortion-law-reforms-c-11769354 |title=Labor MP Kate Doust speaks in support of Liberal MP Nick Goiran, breaks party ranks on abortion law reforms |last=Dietsch |first=Jake |date=1 September 2023 |website=The West Australian |access-date=22 September 2023 |url-access=subscription}}{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/reform-wa-abortion-laws-pass-state-parliament/102881738 |title=Landmark reforms to WA's abortion laws pass state parliament |last=Bourke |first=Keane |date=20 September 2023 |website=ABC News |access-date=22 September 2023}}
=Surrogacy=
In April 2019, Goiran delayed a surrogacy bill by delivering a speech lasting over 22 hours in total over two months, in what was one of the Western Australia Parliament's longest filibuster speeches. On seven different occasions, Goiran spoke for over two hours uninterrupted, and on one occasion, he spoke for five hours straight. The bill was going to allow single men and same-sex couples access to surrogacy. Upon the completion of the speech, the Legislative Council agreed to send the bill to be examined by a parliamentary committee. The Labor Party accused Goiran of wasting time and being undemocratic.{{cite web |last1=Adshead |first1=Gary |title=Liberal MP Nick Goiran's endless speech 'costing $30K a day' |url=https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/liberal-mp-nick-goirans-endless-speech-costing-30k-a-day-ng-b881161584z |website=The West Australian |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=14 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414102957/https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-politics/liberal-mp-nick-goirans-endless-speech-costing-30k-a-day-ng-b881161584z |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Kagi |first1=Jacob |title=WA Liberal MP Nick Goiran succeeds in surrogacy bill filibuster after a nearly 24-hour speech |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-10/nick-goiran-succeeds-in-surrogacy-bill-filibuster/10990816 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=10 April 2019 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084102/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-10/nick-goiran-succeeds-in-surrogacy-bill-filibuster/10990816 |url-status=live }}
=Euthanasia=
Goiran has opposed legalising euthanasia or voluntary assisted dying (VAD). He was the only member of the Joint Select Committee on End of Life Choices to oppose recommending for the government to legalise voluntary euthanasia for patients suffering from terminal illnesses, saying that it is "a recipe for elder abuse", and that it would have a negative impact on efforts to prevent suicide.{{cite web |last1=Kagi |first1=Jacob |title=Voluntary euthanasia should be legalised in WA to end 'unnecessary suffering', report finds |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-23/voluntary-euthanasia-should-be-legalised-in-wa-report-finds/10155910 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=23 August 2018 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227085604/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-23/voluntary-euthanasia-should-be-legalised-in-wa-report-finds/10155910 |url-status=live }} When the bill for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) was in the Legislative Council in 2019, Goiran spoke on every clause of the bill, causing the council's sitting hours to be extended. He proposed 357 amendments to the bill, including that a psychiatric assessment be required for VAD patients. Supporters of the bill said that Goiran was attempting to delay voting on it. Premier Mark McGowan said that Goiran's behaviour was "disgraceful" and "worse than filibustering", but Goiran denied that he was trying to filibuster.{{cite web |last1=Kagi |first1=Jacob |title=Fresh claims of filibustering as Nick Goiran moves 357 amendments to WA's voluntary assisted dying bill |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-31/vad-opponents-accused-of-filibustering/11656258 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=31 October 2019 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084059/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-31/vad-opponents-accused-of-filibustering/11656258 |url-status=live }} In the end, the bill had 55 amendments, 25 of which were Goiran's. After the bill was passed in December 2019, Goiran called it the "most dangerous piece of euthanasia legislation in Australian history".{{cite web |last1=Perpitch |first1=Nicolas |title=Voluntary euthanasia bill passes WA Upper House with laws set to take hold within days |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-05/wa-voluntary-euthanasia-law-passes-upper-house-vote/11771302 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=5 December 2019 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227085602/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-05/wa-voluntary-euthanasia-law-passes-upper-house-vote/11771302 |url-status=live }}
=COVID-19=
Goiran has attracted criticism for being one of only two members of the Parliament of Western Australia that refuses to reveal their COVID-19 vaccination status, alongside Legalise Cannabis WA MLC Sophia Moermond. In October 2021, he criticised and questioned the lawfulness of the Western Australian Government's requirement that certain occupations get vaccinated against COVID-19.{{cite web |last1=Law |first1=Peter |title=COVID-19 vaccinations in WA: Nick Goiran questions lawfulness of mandated jobs |url=https://thewest.com.au/news/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations-in-wa-nick-goiran-questions-lawfulness-of-mandated-jobs-ng-b882052065z |website=The West Australian |access-date=26 October 2021 |date=25 October 2021 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025203331/https://thewest.com.au/news/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccinations-in-wa-nick-goiran-questions-lawfulness-of-mandated-jobs-ng-b882052065z |url-status=live }} In parliament, he has said that "I support vaccinations. I also support the right of individuals to medical privacy". When Parliament passed a motion that MP's must have three doses of COVID-19 vaccines or provide a valid exemption to be in the chamber, Goiran did not exit, showing that he has met those conditions.{{cite web |last1=Carmody |first1=James |title=Legalise Cannabis MP Sophia Moermond suspended from WA parliament over vaccine mandate |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-15/wa-parliament-resumes-amid-growing-covid-19-threat/100830980 |website=ABC News |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227091113/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-15/wa-parliament-resumes-amid-growing-covid-19-threat/100830980 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=de Kruijff |first1=Peter |title=Politician suspended from WA Parliament for not providing vaccination status |url=https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/politician-suspended-from-wa-parliament-for-not-providing-vaccination-status-20220215-p59wrx.html |website=WAtoday |access-date=27 February 2022 |date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227084102/https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/western-australia/politician-suspended-from-wa-parliament-for-not-providing-vaccination-status-20220215-p59wrx.html |url-status=live }}
References
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Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Western Australia
Category:Members of the Western Australian Legislative Council
Category:21st-century Australian politicians