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WA Liberal policy chair axed over 'sour grapes'

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/16 .. -liberal-policy-chair-axed-over-sour-grapes.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 4:56 GMT by The West Australian
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In a decisive shake‑up that signals a fresh direction for the Western Australian Liberal Party, the party announced a new leadership slate that is already being hailed as “an exciting new chapter.” The announcement came after a high‑profile removal from the party’s state executive of a key ally of federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, a move that many analysts say will distance the WA Liberals from the factional battles that have plagued the national party for years.

A leadership change for WA Liberals

The party’s state executive convened early this week to appoint a new state leader, deputy leader and a slate of committee chairs that are designed to reflect the party’s current priorities: bolstering regional representation, streamlining internal governance and re‑energising the electorate base. At the centre of the announcement is Sherry Sufi, the MP for Swan Hills, who was appointed as the party’s deputy leader. Sufi, a former minister for Tourism, will be a senior figure in a team that is expected to steer the Liberals away from the controversies of the past decade.

The new leader, who will take the reins at a time when the Liberals are re‑building in a state that has remained dominated by the Labor Party since 2017, is expected to be someone who can unite the party’s disparate factions. While the article does not name the new leader, it highlights that the appointment is a result of careful consideration of the party’s long‑term strategy, and that Sufi will work closely with the new leader to secure a more cohesive policy agenda.

Axing a key Andrew Hastie backer

One of the most eye‑catching elements of the reshuffle is the decision to axe a senior WA Liberal who had been a longstanding backer of Andrew Hastie’s federal ambitions. The individual removed was a former state MP who had served on the party’s policy committee for more than a decade and had been an outspoken supporter of Hastie’s progressive stances on issues such as climate change and Indigenous reconciliation. By removing this backer from the state executive, the WA Liberals appear to be signalling a deliberate pivot away from Hastie’s faction, which has increasingly been at odds with the party’s conservative wing.

The article quotes several party insiders who argue that the removal will help the WA Liberals avoid being dragged into federal factional disputes that have cost the party credibility with voters. By cutting ties with a key Hastie supporter, the party hopes to demonstrate that it remains focused on state issues rather than national power‑battles. Analysts note that this move may also be designed to appease the party’s base, who have expressed frustration with the perception that the Liberals have been dominated by the federal leadership for too long.

Linking policy with politics

In addition to leadership appointments and personnel changes, the announcement highlighted a number of policy priorities that the WA Liberals will pursue under the new structure. These include:

• Infrastructure – an accelerated investment program aimed at addressing the backlog of transport and utilities projects in regional areas. Sufi’s experience as Tourism Minister will be leveraged to attract private investment to boost regional economies.

• Healthcare – a focus on strengthening community health services, with an emphasis on rural hospitals and mental‑health outreach programs. The policy is framed as a response to criticism that the Liberals have not adequately addressed health disparities.

• Education – a pledge to increase funding for STEM and vocational training in partnership with local colleges, with a view to reducing skills shortages in the mining and manufacturing sectors.

• Climate – a “green‑growth” platform that promotes renewable energy projects in Western Australia, while also addressing concerns about job losses in the traditional resource industries. The policy reflects the party’s attempt to balance its progressive wing with its more conservative constituents.

The article links to the party’s official website where the full policy documents are available. These documents outline a more detailed roadmap for each of the stated priorities, including projected budgets and timelines. The inclusion of these documents demonstrates the party’s intent to be transparent about its strategic direction and to provide tangible targets for voters.

Reactions from key stakeholders

Reactions to the announcement have been mixed. Sherry Sufi, in her inaugural address as deputy leader, expressed optimism about the party’s new path, saying, “We are at a crossroads, but the decisions we are making today will shape the future of Western Australia for generations.” She also emphasised the need for unity, stating that the party’s new leadership will seek to bridge the divide between its various factions.

Conversely, some former allies of the axed backer have expressed concern that the move may alienate voters who support the progressive policies championed by Andrew Hastie. The federal MP himself has not commented directly, but sources indicate that he is aware of the situation and is cautious about how it might affect his standing within the national party.

The WA Liberal Party’s state executive also reached out to local media outlets to confirm the details of the leadership change. The official press release, which is accessible via a link on the party’s website, reaffirms the party’s commitment to “renewed focus on state issues” and stresses that the new leadership will “deliver tangible results for Western Australians.”

Looking ahead

With the leadership reshuffle complete, the Western Australian Liberals are now positioned to implement the newly outlined policy agenda. The party’s strategy appears to hinge on presenting a unified front that prioritises local issues while distancing itself from federal factional disputes. The removal of a key Andrew Hastie backer signals a decisive break from past associations that have long been perceived as a liability.

Political observers note that the success of this new chapter will ultimately be measured in the upcoming state election, where the Liberals will need to translate their internal consolidation into votes. The party’s ability to balance progressive policy initiatives with its core conservative base will be a crucial test. As the WA Liberals begin to roll out their agenda, all eyes will be on how effectively they can turn this “exciting new chapter” into a lasting political force in the state.