As you will now be aware, our State Leader, Mia Davies has announced she is stepping down from the Leadership of The Nationals WA and that she will see out this parliamentary term before retiring at the 2025 state election.
On behalf of the Party, I wish to extend our immense gratitude to Mia for the commitment she has shown to the organisation we hold so dear. Mia has served the party with grace, diligence, and an exacting standard of performance that few could hope to match.
Mia has set an example for all Leaders to strive for. She has delivered so much for our organisation and we owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude.
Mia has played an integral role in Nationals campaigns at every state election since 2005 and by the 2025 election, will have served seventeen years in state parliament; both in the Legislative Council from 2008 to 2013 and as the Member for Central Wheatbelt since 2013. She has contributed within the organisation as both Campaign Director and as State Director.
During The Nationals’ time in Government, Mia served as a Parliamentary Secretary in a range of portfolios and held Ministries for Water, Forestry, and Sport and Recreation. Within these roles, Mia leaves an enviable record, delivering important policy wins for regional communities and playing an important role in delivering the nation’s most highly-regarded sporting facility.
Public life can be gruelling and the past six years has seen Mia shoulder a great weight, leading the Party in Opposition and Leading the Opposition since the 2021 election. I cannot thank Mia enough for her dedication in holding to account one of the country’s most arrogant political operators and fighting for the betterment of our communities. Her Leadership has elevated the strength of the opposition and made the job for whomever follows her all the more doable.
While Mia’s departure from the Leadership will be a surprise and no doubt disappointing for many of us, our organisation is strong and we will unite behind the next Leader just as we have Mia.
The Parliamentary National Party will meet on Monday (30 January) to appoint a new Leader. I am confident that whomever is chosen will have the support of the Party to take the fight up to the Labor State Government on behalf of all West Australians and to lead preparations for a successful 2025 state election.
I know Mia will continue to serve her electorate, the new State Leader, and our Party with her renowned professionalism for the next two years.
Please join me in thanking and congratulating Mia on an exceptional term of Leadership of The Nationals WA.
Tony Crook
State President