Colin Barnett said he would move to the backbench if he didn't win a third term as WA premier. (AAP)<\/p>\n
Western Australia's Liberal MPs are considering a new leader to replace Colin Barnett after the weekend's crushing election defeat. <\/p>\n
Mr Barnett's deputy Liza Harvey is still viewed as the likely successor, but former corrective services minister Joe Francis also wants the job. <\/p>\n
However, Mr Francis' electorate of Jandakot is one of the seats still in doubt. <\/p>\n
Former corrective services minister Joe Francis could win the top job. (AAP) <\/p>\n
The Liberals will have around 13 MPs in the new parliament, and face a tough task making a dent on new Labor government of Mark McGowan over the next four years. <\/p>\n
Insiders believe Mr Francis, a tattooed former submariner, can be the \"attack dog\" to take on new premier Mark McGowan, while Ms Harvey is not seen as feisty enough. <\/p>\n
However, she's been widely perceived as Mr Barnett's heir apparent, and is expected to stand. <\/p>\n
The West Australian says former mines and small business minister Sean L'Estrange has also been floated as a candidate. <\/p>\n
Ex-bank executive and transport minister Dean Nalder has dropped his leadership ambitions, at least for now. <\/p>\n
Mr Barnett has said he'll sit on the opposition back bench, but there's speculation the former premier will retire from politics. <\/p>\n
One of the confirmed Liberal MPs, Peter Katsambanis, said on Monday he would not be putting his hand up for the job. <\/p>\n
He also denied he'd been drunk when he left a 3am voice message on the mobile of Rob Johnson, who quit the party after a falling out with Mr Barnett. <\/p>\n
\"The motivation was that Rob Johnson didn't have the good grace to call and concede,\" he told 6PR on Monday. <\/p>\n
AAP 2017 <\/p>\n
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WA Liberal MPs must choose new leader - 9news.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Colin Barnett said he would move to the backbench if he didn't win a third term as WA premier. (AAP) Western Australia's Liberal MPs are considering a new leader to replace Colin Barnett after the weekend's crushing election defeat. Continue reading