Liberal MPs say no to Johnson as Speaker
Rob Johnson's colleagues do not want him to become Speaker, with many Liberal MPs yesterday saying the Hillarys MP should not be rewarded for criticising the Premier and stymieing Government legislation.
As the last pockets of votes from Saturday's State election were counted, Liberal incumbent Graham Jacobs pulled 130 votes ahead of Nationals hopeful Colin De Grussa in Eyre after starting the day 26 behind.
Dr Jacobs' likely win pushed the Liberals' seat count to 31 and pegged the Nationals at 7, with Labor on 19 and just two seats - Midland and Collie-Preston - remaining in play.
With the Liberals cementing their outright governance on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, attention turned to who Mr Barnett would choose to officiate.
Those interested include Mt Lawley MP Michael Sutherland, Kingsley's Andrea Mitchell and Mr Johnson.
Though the Liberals can govern in their own right in the Lower House, they are still likely to need the Nationals to pass legislation in the Legislative Council.
This gives House-swapping former Nationals MLC Wendy Duncan an outside chance of replacing retired colleague Grant Woodhams in the Speaker's chair.
Mr Johnson was not the candidate favoured by his colleagues yesterday.
One said he should not be rewarded for accusing Mr Barnett of betrayal when Mr Johnson was replaced as police minister in June.
Another MP said Mr Johnson broke with a century of constitutional tradition by refusing to resign his Cabinet post after being demoted.
Yet another colleague said Mr Johnson torpedoed Mr Barnett's proposed reforms to the Corruption and Crime Commission in the party room in September.
"You can't threaten Colin like that," the MP said. "Rob's been a minister, he's had his time in the sun."
Mr Johnson declined to comment.
Labor incumbents Michelle Roberts in Midland and Mick Murray in Collie-Preston were holding on to slim leads of 54 and 27 votes.
Seats decided by fewer than 100 votes after full preference distributions will be eligible for recounts.
