WA election: Joe Francis loses seat, says Liberals ‘in denial’ as Mike Nahan firms for leadership

The rout of the Barnett Government has continued with Joe Francis becoming the sixth Barnett Government minister to lose his seat, leaving outgoing Treasurer Mike Nahan now likely to assume the Liberal leadership.

Mr Francis conceded defeat in the seat of Jandakot just after 3:30pm, three days after Saturday’s catastrophic loss to Labor.

The loss of Mr Francis eliminates him as a possible opposition leader and deepens the leadership problems facing the party, raising serious questions about the strength of the Liberals in opposition.

With a continuing silence from the surviving leadership team of Colin Barnett and deputy Liza Harvey, and other Cabinet members such as Mr Nahan and Sean L’Estrange, it is yet to be confirmed who will lead the Liberal Party back from a defeat that has decimated its ranks and wiped out some of its most capable members.

Mr Francis joins outgoing ministers Albert Jacob (environment), John Day (health), Paul Miles (local government), Mark Lewis (agriculture) and WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls (housing) as cabinet casualties of the landslide Labor win.

Source: WA election: Joe Francis loses seat, says Liberals ‘in denial’ as Mike Nahan firms for leadership – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)