Barnett should butt out: Birney
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Matt Birney says it's too close to the election for a leadership change.
The former Liberal leader Matt Birney has called on Colin Barnett to rule himself out of another stint in the top job.
Mr Barnett says he still plans to retire, but he has not ruled out a comeback as leader.
Mr Birney says it is too close to the next state election to consider a leadership change.
He says the Liberal Party previously had a "great deal of difficulty" under Mr Barnett's leadership, and he does not think that would change if he led the party again.
"I would certainly ask Colin to immediately, and today, issue an unequivocal statement, ruling himself out of the leadership so that the Liberal Party can start focusing on the next election, which is just around the corner,' he said.
"Colin is not the answer. We had a great deal of difficulty under Colin between 2001 and 2005. We had a lot of difficulty out there selling Colin to the public, and I don't think that will necessarily change in the future.
"We just need to give Troy Buswell a bit of clear air to prove himself, and importantly I think we as a party need to start focusing on the next election, and I think people like Colin Barnett need to stop focusing on themselves."
Mr Barnett has been contacted for comment.
