CENTRAL Wheatbelt MLA Mia Davies is the first female leader of The Nationals WA.
The former deputy leader was given the party's top job at a party room meeting on Tuesday, taking the reins from Brendon Grylls who lost his seat of Pilbara at the March 11 State election.
Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Jacqui Boydell replaces Ms Davies as the deputy leader.
Ms Davies said she was humbled to be given the opportunity to lead the party.
"The Nationals WA have been a force in WA politics for 100 years and I'm confident our team will continue to build on our history and proud record of achievement on behalf of all regional West Australians," Ms Davies said.
"I'm very proud of the role that women have played in the National Party, both in the parliamentary party but also behind the scenes, we've always had really strong women in our organisation and from my perspective I don't know any different."
Ms Davies said she was committed to protecting the Royalties for Regions program under the newly-elected Labor government.
"As new leader I am firmly committed to continuing this fight to make sure regional WA isn't left behind under a Labor government," she said.
"The test will be for (new Agriculture and Food Minister) Alannah MacTiernan in a cabinet full of metropolitan members of parliament with big commitments to make good on, to hold on to that resource and make sure that it's being spent appropriately on diversifying the economy, meeting the needs of regional West Australians and delivering on that hope and promise that we have managed to secure for them for the past eight years."
Ms Davies said The WA Nationals would continue to push for the mining sector to pay its fair share and believed the party's controversial campaign to increase a State levy on iron ore miners BHP and Rio Tinto was the right call.
"The Nationals don't believe it's fair that mums, dads, pensioners and small businesses pay fees and charges that increase every single year, yet these mining companies are paying a charge that has remained unchanged since the 1960s.
"I think the platform that we've had for the past eight months has been the right one and so our conversation with the electorate will continue to be the same.
"The government now has the right to put forward their policy ideas, but not if it's at the expense of regional Western Australia.
"We won't be letting that happen without pointing it out and without fighting tooth and nail to protect what we've seen make an enormous difference."
Ms Davies paid tribute to her predecessor Mr Grylls and acknowledged his contribution to WA's political landscape.
"Brendon's leadership and contribution to public life is unique, he gave country people a voice when they'd all but lost hope and was always willing to stand up for what was fair and right, no matter the personal consequences," she said.
"Our strong result at the State election in the face of a big swing against the government has strengthened our resolve to continue to forge this path.
"The Nationals, despite losing very talented members of parliament, have held in terms of their vote and I think that's because people understood what we were doing, what we had delivered and what we were trying to do.
"Our team is strong and we have a job to do, it's now time to get on with it."
p Destined for political career, page 14.
