Steve Thomas (politician)

The Honourable Steve Thomas MLC
Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Western Australia
In office 30 January 2023 – 28 February 2024
Leader	Libby Mettam
Preceded by	Libby Mettam
Succeeded by	Steve Martin
Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council for South West Region
Incumbent
Assumed office 22 May 2017
Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for Capel
In office 26 February 2005 – 6 September 2008
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Personal details
Born	(1967-10-03) 3 October 1967 (age 57) Mansfield, Victoria, Australia
Political party	Liberal
Profession	Veterinary Surgeon

Steven Caldwell Thomas (born 3 October 1967) is an Australian politician. He is a Liberal member of the Western Australian Legislative Council, having represented South West Region since 2017. He served as the party's deputy leader from 2023 to 2024. He was previously a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 2005 to 2008 representing the electorate of Capel.[1]

Early life

Thomas was born in Mansfield, Victoria. Prior to entering politics Thomas was a veterinary surgeon and has a degree in veterinary science.^[citation needed]

Legislative Assembly

On entering Parliament Thomas was appointed as acting speaker of the Legislative Assembly (lower house) in March 2005 and was a member of the Public Accounts Committee from April 2005. Thomas was appointed as the shadow minister of the Environment for most of 2006 and from January 2008 acted as the shadow treasurer.[2]

The seat of Capel was abolished and merged with Collie-Wellington and parts of Vasse into the new seat of Collie-Preston. Thomas contested the seat in the 2008 election and lost narrowly to Labor candidate and member for Collie-Wellington, Mick Murray.

Legislative Council

Thomas was elected at the 2017 election to represent South West Region in the Legislative Council (upper house), starting from 22 May 2017.[3]

Thomas was elected as deputy party leader in the 30 January 2023 Liberal Party leadership spill.[4] He resigned from this role on 27 February 2024 after The West Australian newspaper revealed he had been in contact with former premier Brian Burke, despite Liberal leader Libby Mettam having claimed none of her frontbenchers had been in contact with Burke.[5][6][7]

References

1. "Extract from the Western Australian Parliamentary Handbook". 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2008.
2. "Liberal Party – Steve Thomas MLA". 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2008.
3. "South West Region Profile and Results". 2017 State General Election. Western Australian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
4. Perpitch, Nicolas; Bourke, Keane; Burmas, Grace (30 January 2023). "Shane Love is WA's new opposition leader, as Libby Mettam takes over Liberal party leadership". ABC News. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
5. Bourke, Keane; Pin, Phoebe (27 February 2024). "WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam sacks her deputy Steve Thomas over Brian Burke admissions". ABC News. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
6. Hastie, Hamish (27 February 2024). "Mettam makes Liberal deputy Steve Thomas quit over Burke dealings". WAtoday. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
7. Caporn, Dylan (27 February 2024). "Steve Thomas quits Liberal frontbench over contact with Brian Burke after meeting with leader Libby Mettam". The West Australian. Retrieved 27 February 2024.