Basil Zempilas: Liberal’s bold play to seize Opposition shows admirable chutzpah

1. It probably isn’t going to make a great deal of difference in the grand scheme of things but it’s the signal of intent which makes the WA Liberals’ bold play with former Nationals MP Merome Beard so admirable. It’s a sign. New attitude, new game plan. The skinny kid at the beach is tired of getting sand kicked in his face and he’s fighting back. How can you not cheer for that? The extra staff and resources which come with official opposition status would help the Libs no doubt, but with or without it, in most people’s minds Libby Mettam is the opposition leader anyway.

2. And a bit like the movie star who’s made one too many dud films, suddenly the Government’s tough guy act doesn’t seem so tough. Messrs Quigley, Papalia and Cook (phoning it in from Japan) couldn’t get to a microphone quick enough. But as they trotted out the “fighting among themselves lines” they forgot it was only five months ago the Labor party was doing precisely that trying to sort out who took over after Mark McGowan’s disappearing act. Short memories. And I wonder if that was just round one?