‘Not mission impossible’: Opposition Leader Angus Taylor confident of winning back WA

Angus Taylor has declared it is “not mission impossible” to win back WA voters, saying he believes the once strong Liberals can once again be a powerhouse in the west. In his first interview with WA media since becoming Federal Liberal leader, Mr Taylor pledged he would “not be taking WA for granted” and stood firm on keeping the State’s multibillion-dollar a year GST deal despite strong objections from the east. “It is not Mission Impossible,” Mr Taylor said of winning back seats in WA. “But like the rest of Australia, we have got to restore confidence in what we offer. “We have got to restore people’s confidence that we are focused on their main issues and that applies in WA as it does elsewhere.” WA was once a natural vote-getter for the Liberals. Now, after bad election results under the leaderships of Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton in 2022 and 2025 respectively, the Liberals are reduced to just four Federal seats in WA out of a total of 16. Its once prized seat of Curtin has now be won twice by Independent Kate Chaney. But Mr Taylor insists WA is best served by a Liberal Party. “I firmly believe that the Liberal Party is the best party for a State like WA, which is built on an export economy and one that needs business investment, private sector markets,” Mr Taylor said. “These are the things we believe in as Liberals. That’s natural turf for us. “But clearly, we haven’t convinced West Australians that we are the best party for WA, and we need to do that. “We have to convince West Australians that we are the party that can restore Australian’s standards of living and protect Australians’ way of life.” Mr Taylor is the third Opposition Leader since Scott Morrison lost government just four years ago. Sussan Ley was given just nine months in the job before she was sacked by her Liberal colleagues on Friday. The leadership spill followed polling that showed the Liberals were heading to political oblivion in the face of a One Nation surge. Prior to Friday’s vote, WA’s Andrew Hastie had unsuccessfully tried to convince his colleagues that he was a better bet than Mr Taylor to lead the party. Asked by The West Australian whether he could trust Mr Hastie, Mr Taylor replied: “Absolutely. Andrew will play a significant role. “I am not going to announce the shadow Cabinet now, but of course he’ll play a significant role and he must because he is a senior member of the team and has an enormous contribution to make — as do so many other West Australians. “Michaelia Cash, of course, has played a huge role for the Liberal Party for many years and will continue to.” Mr Taylor says he backs WA’s GST deal, which was currently being reviewed by the Productivity Commission. “I will not take WA for granted,” Mr Taylor said. “I will always respect the crucial role it takes in our country and in our economy. “I have always thought the GST was appropriate and should not be wound back. “That was the position I took in the last term, and it remains my position. “It’s based on the fact that WA makes a huge contribution to our nation, and that must recognised.” Mr Taylor is adamant he can win the next Federal poll in 2028. Few would share his optimism, with Labor holding 94 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives, but Mr Taylor said WA’s history of beating the odds would serve as an inspiration for an unlikely win in two years’ time. “I think we can win the next Federal election,” Mr Taylor said. “But WA will be essential to that. “The great thing about Western Australia is dreams have come true. “This is a State that has achieved incredible things.” Mr Taylor said he would head to WA as soon as he could.