Liza Harvey replaces Mike Nahan as leader of WA Liberals

Liza Harvey is the new leader of the WA Liberal following the resignation of Dr Mike Nahan last night.

Harvey was elected to be the leader of the opposition unopposed. Her deputy will be long serving MP Bill Marmion who won the bishop in a ballot against colleague Tony Krsticevic.

Speculation that Dr Nahan had signed a secret deal to hand the leadership to Harvey was reported in the media earlier this week. Both Nahan and Harvey have denied the existence of a deal.

Dr Nahan initially said he had no intention of resigning, but last night announced he would be stepping down, saying it had always been his intention to hand over to a new leader well before the next state election.

Harvey, who served as Police Minister in the Barnett government, is the first woman to lead the Western Australian Liberals. During her time in parliament Harvey has looked after the areas of police, tourism, women’s interest, small business, training and workforce development and road safety.

Harvey, who represents the seat of Scarborough, enter politics at the 2008 state election. A science graduate from the University of Western Australia, she previously worked for QANTAS in a customer service role before establishing a recreational fishing business with her husband.

Harvey’s husband Hal passed away in 2014 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. The couple have two children, while Harvey’s husband also has a daughter from a previous relationship.

OIP Staff