Confidence in deal

WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls says he will not negotiate a better agreement to form Government with the Liberals even if his party wins the balance of power at the State Election.

While talking up his party’s chances of electoral success, Mr Grylls has also rejected talk of him running in the Federal seat of Durack, held by Liberal Barry Haase, if he is defeated on March 9.

With less than two weeks before the election, Mr Grylls told the Kalgoorlie Miner he was confident of his chances of winning the seat of Pilbara and winning the balance of power.

However, he said he was happy with the agreement he struck with the Liberals after the 2008 poll which handed Premier Colin Barnett power, with the Liberals governing in partnership with the WA Nationals.

In return, the Liberals agreed to legislate Royalties for Regions and appointed Mr Grylls Regional Development Minister to oversee the fund.

Even if the WA Nationals held more seats, and therefore more leverage, after next month’s election, Mr Grylls said he would not seek to change the terms of this deal.