Zempilas declares any Labor loss in WA by-election 'a win for Liberals'

WA's Liberal leader says "there is no white flag being waved" in the upcoming Secret Harbour by-election, while indicating any result other than Labor retaining the seat, namely a win by One Nation, will be "a victory for the Liberals".

Voters in the southern Perth seat will head to the polls on August 29 to replace long-serving MP Paul Papalia, who retired from state politics last week.

Former political staffer and author Georgia Tree has been named as Labor's candidate and former submariner Ryan Robertson is expected to be endorsed by the WA Liberal Party this weekend as its candidate, given he was the only person who nominated.

The third player in the hotly contested race — One Nation — is yet to announce its candidate, but Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said he was "not shying away" from their threat.

"I am very realistic and pragmatic. I see what is happening around us and they will play a part, One Nation will play a part," he said.

"But every contest the Liberals enter, we are in it to win it and we will be going for the win, and if we can [bring into] effect Labor losing that seat, that will be a win for us."

Not surrendering to One Nation

The contest is being seen as a test of One Nation's popularity in WA, given it is set against the background of seemingly surging support for the minor party.

When asked whether it would be a win for the Liberals if One Nation won the by-election, Mr Zempilas said any Labor loss would be a victory.

"Labor has always held this seat. This is a Labor stronghold," he said.

"If Labor do not retain this seat, a Labor loss will be a victory for the Liberals."

When pressed if the party was "waving the white flag" before the contest had even started, Mr Zempilas said it was not.

"I'm not trying to finish behind them, but I am realistic,"

he said.

"There is no white flag being waved. What I am really determined to try and achieve, as for this matter are One Nation, is the removal of Labor holding that seat — and that will be a win for us and for anyone who plays a role in that."

Mr Zempilas made the comments while acknowledging the growth in support for One Nation in "outer metropolitan areas" like Secret Harbour.

Candidate's naval background

The Liberal candidate, Mr Robertson, is expected to be formally pre-selected this weekend by local Liberal Party members and made official by the party's state executive.

Mr Robertson served in the Navy between 2009 and 2021, and since leaving has worked as a real estate agent, hosted a podcast and acted in his current role as a Rockingham city councillor.

Mr Zempilas said his similarities to Mr Papalia's navy background — and the uniqueness of the electorate's navy presence — would serve him well.

"There are many naval families, Ryan has been, is a member of a navy family," he said.

"He has lived and represented his community in one way or another for the better part of 15 years in that local area."

Mr Zempilas was questioned why only one candidate put their name forward and no women had nominated, despite commitments made by the leader to boost the party's female membership.

"That is presupposing that that didn't happen [work to source a female candidate]," he said.

"It is always [the] best candidate for a specific electorate and Ryan Robertson I know, if ultimately endorsed, satisfies so many of those criteria. I think it will become obvious that he was entirely the right sort of person to be preselected."