Nick Minchin
Member
Buswell is new leader of the WA Liberals
Troy Buswell is the new leader of the West Australian opposition after Liberals leader Paul Omodei declined to renominate in a leadership spill.
Most members of the 33-strong parliamentary party met for crisis talks on Thursday amid speculation Mr Omodei's colleagues were tired of poor poll ratings and that Mr Buswell had the numbers to topple him.
After an hour, Ray Halligan, parliamentary secretary of the Liberal Party, emerged to tell reporters Mr Buswell was the new leader.
"A spill motion was moved by Paul Omodei," he said.
"When nominations were called Paul Omodei declined to renominate.
"The leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party of WA is Troy Buswell, the deputy leader is Kim Hames."
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