Opposition (Western Australia)

For the former political grouping, see Ministerialists and Oppositionists § Western Australia.

The Opposition in the Australian state of Western Australia comprises the largest party or coalition of parties not in Government. The Opposition's purpose is to hold the Government to account and constitute a "Government-in-waiting" should the existing Government fall. To that end, a Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Ministers for the various government departments question the Premier and Ministers on Government policy and administration, and formulate the policy the Opposition would pursue in Government. It is sometimes styled "His Majesty's Loyal Opposition" to demonstrate that although it opposes the Government, it remains loyal to the King.

The current Leader of the Opposition is Nationals Leader Shane Love. The conservative Opposition was previously led by Zak Kirkup of the Liberal Party. In the 2021 election, the Liberal Party ended up winning fewer seats than the National Party, headed by Davies, with the National Party gaining opposition status and Davies becoming the first Nationals opposition leader since 1947.[1]

List of shadow ministries

Current arrangement

Following the 2021 election, the Liberal Party and Nationals Party entered into a formal alliance to form opposition, with National Party being the senior party and the Liberal Party being the junior party in the alliance. Shadow ministerial positions were also held by parliamentary members of both parties.[2] This was similar to the agreements between both parties when they were in government following the 2008 and 2013 elections.[3] Similar to the 2008 and 2013 agreements, the deputy leader of the senior party, Nationals deputy leader Shane Love, was the deputy opposition leader, instead of the leader of the junior party, Liberal Party leader David Honey. Under the alliance, each party maintained their independence, and could speak out on issues when there was a disagreement with their partner.[4][5]

Shadow Minister Portfolio Image
Shane Love MLA
  • Leader of the Opposition
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Regional Development
    • Transport
    • Jobs & Trade
    • Climate Action
    • Finance
    • Federal-State Relations
    • Public Sector Management
    • Government Accountability
  • Leader of the National Party
Peter Rundle MLA
  • Deputy Leader of the Opposition
  • Manager of Opposition Business
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Education & Training
    • International Education
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Racing & Gaming
  • Deputy Leader of the National Party
Merome Beard MLA
  • Opposition Whip in the Legislative Assembly
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Local Government
    • Tourism
    • Commerce
    • Women's Interests
Hon. Mia Davies MLA
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Mines & Petroleum
    • Electoral Affairs
    • Aboriginal Affairs
Hon. Colin de Grussa MLC
  • Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
  • Opposition Whip in the Legislative Council
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Fisheries
    • Ports
    • Veterans Issues
    • Regional Communications
  • Leader of the National Party in the Legislative Council
Hon. Martin Aldridge MLC
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Emergency Services
    • Regional Health
    • Road Safety
    • Volunteering
    • Regional Cities
  • Deputy Leader of the National Party in the Legislative Council
Libby Mettam MLA
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Health
    • Mental Health
    • Disability Services
    • Prevention of Family & Domestic Violence
    • Child Protection
  • Leader of the WA Liberal Party
Dr. David Honey MLA
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • State Development
    • Water
    • Hydrogen
    • Small Business
    • Science
    • Innovation and ICT
Hon. Steve Thomas MLC
  • Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Energy
    • Treasury
    • Industrial Relations
  • Deputy Leader of the WA Liberal Party
  • Leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council
Hon. Tjorn Sibma MLC
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Justice
    • Defence Industry
    • MetroNet
    • Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs
  • Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council
Hon. Donna Faragher MLC
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Community Services
    • Early Childhood Learning
    • Youth
    • Seniors and Ageing
Hon. Peter Collier MLC
  • Shadow Minister for Police and Corrective Services
  • Shadow Minister for Culture and the Arts
Hon. Neil Thomson MLC
  • Shadow Minister for:
    • Planning
    • Environment
    • Lands
    • Heritage
Hon. Steve Martin MLC
  • Shadow Minister for Housing and Forestry
Hon. Nick Goiran MLC
  • No portfolio

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nationals weigh coalition to form opposition in WA after Liberals wiped out". ABC News. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Shadow Ministers". Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  3. ^ "Opposition Alliance Agreement Reached". The Nationals WA. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  4. ^ "WA Liberals and Nationals enter alliance instead of formal coalition following electoral wipeout". ABC News. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  5. ^ "WA Nationals, Liberals form alliance for opposition – just don't call it a coalition". WA Today. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.