"Huston wants a policy direction that does not align with the party, including significant increases in mining royalties."
Nedlands MP Jonathan Huston has left the Western Australian Liberal Party, according to a statement from Liberal leader Basil Zempilas. Huston had been elected to the seat of Nedlands just over a year ago.
Key Details
Huston has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Zempilas expressed disappointment, stating that Huston wants a policy direction that does not align with the party, including significant increases in mining royalties, which Zempilas said he would not pursue.
Huston served as the party's spokesperson for deregulation, small business, public sector reform, and veterans. He had been vocal about local issues such as a proposed ferry terminal at Matilda Bay and the federal government's planned sale of Irwin Barracks.
Background
Huston won the seat of Nedlands with a 5.8% swing at the 2025 state election.
In October 2024, Huston wrote a paper criticizing the AUKUS submarine agreement and circulated it to media. Zempilas said that was not the appropriate way to debate policy.
Earlier in the month, Huston responded positively to a social media comment suggesting he join One Nation. Zempilas had previously described Huston as a "great talent."
One Nation's WA leader Rod Caddies said no Liberal MPs had approached him about joining, but that One Nation would cooperate with any MP who agreed with their policies.
The seat of Nedlands has been a Liberal stronghold since 1950, except for a four-year period under Labor. The margin is now 2.7%.