Liberal duo in pre-selection battle

Agricultural Region MLC Brian Ellis and South West Region MLC Nigel Hallett were members of a parliamentary delegation which last year caused the State Government to backflip on plans to close WA's shopfront of 22 years in Indonesia.

Plans announced by the Department of State Development, which comes under Mr Barnett, in late 2014 to close the office caused consternation for regional-based Liberal MPs.

They were worried about the potential impact on trade - Indonesia is Australia's largest live cattle customer and also buys our wheat - and how closing the office might be interpreted by the Indonesian government.

Farmers before entering politics, Mr Ellis who has an electoral office in Geraldton and Mr Hallett who has an electoral office in Mandurah, were instrumental in convincing Mr Barnett to keep the trade office open.

Last weekend the Liberal Party selection committee for the Agricultural Region relegated Mr Ellis to third spot, a seemingly unwinnable position, on the party's ticket for the next election, due by March 11 next year.

Former Wickepin Shire president for 10 years until October, Steven Martin, was promoted ahead of Mr Ellis in what appears to be a tit-for-tat move.

During pre-selection for the 2013 election, Mr Martin was bumped to third spot on the ticket in favour of Mr Ellis and the other Agricultural Region sitting Liberal MLC Jim Chown.

From third place he failed to gain sufficient votes to win a third seat for the Liberals, losing out to Shooters and Fishers Party's Rick Mazza for the last of six positions representing the region.

Mr Ellis and former Dalwallinu farmer Mr Chown both entered parliament in 2008.

A parliamentary secretary to the Treasurer and Transport Minister, Mr Chown is understood to have won top spot on the ticket with the casting vote of the selection committee chairperson at the weekend.

Mr Chown and Mr Martin received the same number of committee votes.

The selection committee's recommendation in order of preference was Mr Chown, Mr Martin, Mr Ellis, Chris Wilkins and Alan McFarland.

Its recommendation, and those of other selection committees, will be considered at the next Liberal Party state council meeting on February 27.

Party rules prevent candidates speaking openly about the pre-selection process but Mr Ellis is said to be disappointed while "resigned" to accepting third spot.

The South West Region selection committee will hear presentations from 16 candidate nominees this weekend, including Manjimup shire president Wade DeCampo.

It has been suggested to Farm Weekly both sitting MLCs, Robyn McSweeney and Nigel Hallett, could lose their first and second positions on the Liberal ticket in favour of "new blood".

Bridgetown-based Mrs McSweeney, a former child protection, community services, seniors and volunteering, women's interests and youth minister before being dumped from cabinet by Mr Barnett in 2013, has represented the South West since 2001.

Last year she completed researching and writing a book on one of her family forebears and launched it with a celebration at Albany library in December.

Mr Hallett was a farmer at Boyup Brook and Corrigin before he entered parliament in 2005.

He was shadow spokesman on regional development 2005-08 and is a member of the current select committee into the operations of the WA Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The retirement of Legislative Council president Barry House at the election should make it possible for candidates endorsed in the top three positions on the Liberal ticket to win a seat in parliament.

Mr House has served the South West region since 1987.

Agriculture and Food and Fisheries Minister Ken Baston retained his top position on the Liberal ticket for the Mining and Pastoral Region last weekend.

There has been speculation Mr Baston could lose the portfolios and be dumped in a cabinet reshuffle by Mr Barnett this year as he aims to put the parliamentary Liberal team into election mode.

The Liberal selection committee's Mining and Pastoral Region recommendation was Mr Baston, Mark Lewis MLC, Barry Pound, Jason Wells and Jenny Bloom.