Colin Barnett says no tears will be shed in the WA Liberal party after the latest backbencher departure, this time by the MP who has a frosty relationship with the treasurer.
Nigel Hallett, who has represented the South West electorate for three terms, has switched allegiance to the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
Mr Hallett was in February bumped from the Liberals' Upper House ticket for the division for the 2017 state election, but attributed his defection to wanting to stand up for farmers and other people in regional WA, who felt they had been forgotten by politicians.
His departure comes a month after Treasurer Mike Nahan admitted he had a "frosty relationship" with Mr Hallett, who had complained to him about land tax in March.
The admission was prompted by businessman Nigel Satterley's claims Mr Hallett and Dr Nahan had "a dust-up" outside parliament - which the treasurer flatly denies.
The defection also comes two months after former police minister and member for Hillarys Rob Johnson quit the Liberal Party to become an independent, saying he no longer respected Premier Colin Barnett and his government.
The opposition pounced on the latest departure, with WA Labor leader Mark McGowan asking Mr Barnett if it was "further demonstration of a lack of confidence in your leadership of the Liberal party and the state of Western Australia."
"I have a fairly old-fashioned view that when a member of parliament is elected with the support and nomination of a political party, that member has a responsibility to honour that sponsorship and support," Mr Barnett told parliament on Thursday.
"The reality is, very few members of parliament would be elected if they weren't the nomination of a major political party.
"Nigel Hallett, you know, good luck to him. So be it. I don't think anyone is shedding tears in the Liberal party over that.
"He and perhaps the member for Hillarys were disgruntled members and have decided to leave. That's their decision - see you later."
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