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Mia Davies
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Mia Jane Davies (born 3 November 1978) is an Australian politician who was the Leader of the Opposition and leader of the National Party in Western Australia from March 2021 to January 2023. She was a member of the state Legislative Assembly from 2013 to 2025, having previously served in the Legislative Council from 2009 to 2013. Davies was elected deputy leader of the Nationals in November 2013, and replaced Brendon Grylls as leader in March 2017 following his defeat at the 2017 state election. As a result of the Liberal Party's electoral wipeout at the 2021 state election, she became leader of the opposition after Premier Mark McGowan gave her party the official opposition party funding, the first member of her party to hold the role since Arthur Watts in 1947. She resigned as leader of the opposition and leader of her party in January 2023, and said she would not recontest her seat at the 2025 election.[1][2]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Davies was born in Perth to Leonie (née South) and Dexter Davies. Her father was also a National Party member of parliament. Davies was raised on her parents' farm in Yorkrakine, a small Wheatbelt town. She attended Wyalkatchem District High School before boarding at Methodist Ladies' College, Perth, and later completed a degree in marketing and media at Murdoch University.[3] From 1999 to 2001, Davies lived and worked in London. After returning to Australia, she began working for Max Trenorden (the state leader of the National Party at the time) as an administrative assistant and research officer. She continued on in a similar role when Brendon Grylls became leader in 2005, and later ran her own consulting business.[4]
Politics
[edit]At the 2008 state election, Davies was elected to parliament in third position on the National Party ticket for Agricultural Region. Her election was challenged by Anthony Fels, a Family First candidate, and the dispute was not settled until just two days before her term was set to begin (in May 2009).[4][5] She was 30 years old at the time of being sworn in, becoming the youngest member of the Legislative Council at the time (the "baby of the house").[4] At the 2013 state election, Davies transferred to the Legislative Assembly, winning the seat of Central Wheatbelt. Her predecessor in the seat was Brendon Grylls, the party leader, who had transferred to the seat of Pilbara. After the election, Davies was made parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Regional Development and the Minister for Lands, and also assistant minister to the Minister for State Development.[6]
In November 2013, Davies was elected deputy leader of the National Party, replacing Terry Redman (who had replaced Brendon Grylls as leader). Her only opponent for the deputy leadership was Wendy Duncan.[7] Davies was subsequently elevated to the ministry, becoming Minister for Water and Minister for Forestry.[6] She was 35 at the time, becoming the youngest ever government minister from her party (and the eighth youngest overall).[8] In December 2014, Davies was also made Minister for Sport and Recreation, replacing Terry Waldron.[6] She continued in cabinet until the Barnett government's landslide defeat at the 2017 state election, which also saw Brendon Grylls lose the seat of Pilbara. Despite this, Davies actually increased her share of the vote, with Central Wheatbelt becoming the safest non-government seat in the state.[9] Following the state election in March 2017; Davies was elected the Leader of the Parliamentary National Party (WA) and Mining and Pastoral MP, Hon Jacqui Boydell MLC became the Deputy Leader.
In 2021 after the political wipeout of the WA Liberal Party, she became State Opposition Leader, the first time the Nationals had been the official opposition since 1947. She became the third woman to be WA Opposition Leader and each from a different party after former Labor Premier Carmen Lawrence and former Liberal leader Liza Harvey.
Although the Nationals were one seat short of official status in the legislature, Premier Mark McGowan promised that Davies and the Nationals would receive the resources entitled to them as an opposition.[10] On 19 April 2021, the Nationals formed a formal opposition alliance with the remains of the Liberals, led by David Honey. The Nationals would be the senior partner, and Davies appointed Honey and two other Liberals to her shadow cabinet.[11] Each party maintained their independence, and could speak out on their own when there were disagreements with the other partner.[12][13]
In January 2023, she resigned as leader of the opposition and leader of the National Party and was succeeded by Shane Love.[14]
She stood down at the 2025 Western Australian state election and was succeeded by fellow National Party candidate Lachlan Hunter.[15]
She was a candidate for the Division of Bullwinkel in the 2025 Australian federal election.[16]
Political positions
[edit]Davies supports the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.[17]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Hasti, Hamish (27 January 2023). "Libby Mettam could call WA Liberals leadership spill within days". WAtoday. Nine Entertainment. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ Ho, Cason; Carmody, James (27 January 2023). "WA Opposition Leader Mia Davies announces resignation". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ Mia Jane Davies – Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
- ^ a b c Black, David and Phillips, Harry (2012). Making a Difference: Women in the Western Australian Parliament 1921–2012 (PDF). Parliament House, Perth, Western Australia: Parliament of Western Australia. pp. 512–519.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Fels loses appeal over Davies victory", ABC News, 21 May 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
- ^ a b c Hon. Mia Jane Davies MLA BMM – Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
- ^ "Mia Davies chosen as Nationals deputy leader and will fill vacant Cabinet post", ABC News, 26 November 2013.
- ^ David Black (2014), The Western Australian Parliamentary Handbook (Twenty-Third Edition) Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine; Perth [W.A.]: Parliament of Western Australia; p. 240.
- ^ "Central Wheatbelt - ABC News". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ^ Michael Ramsey (18 March 2021). "Labor pulls ahead in blue-ribbon WA seats". Seven News. Australian Associated Press.
- ^ "Opposition Alliance Agreement Reached". The Nationals WA. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ "WA Liberals and Nationals enter alliance instead of formal coalition following electoral wipeout". ABC News. 19 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ "WA Nationals, Liberals form alliance for opposition – just don't call it a coalition". WA Today. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
- ^ Perpitch, Nicolas; Bourke, Keane; Burmas, Grace (30 January 2023). "Shane Love is WA's new opposition leader, as Libby Mettam takes over Liberal party leadership". ABC News. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ "Hunter's on for central Wheatbelt spot - Echo Newspaper". Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ^ "Divided loyalties emerge in Bullwinkel race". The West Australian. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ "WA Nationals support Indigenous voice". 29 November 2022.
Mia Davies
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Mia Jane Davies (born 3 November 1978) is a former Australian politician who represented the Central Wheatbelt electorate in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 2013 until her retirement in 2025 as a member of The Nationals WA.[1] Previously elected to the Legislative Council for the Agricultural Region in 2008, she served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the House in 2013 and as Minister for Water, Forestry, Sport and Recreation from 2013 to 2017 in the Barnett Liberal-National government.[1] Davies rose to prominence as Deputy Leader of The Nationals WA from 2013 to 2017 before becoming the party's leader in 2017—the first woman to lead a state or territory branch of the National Party of Australia—and held that position until 2023, during which she also served as Leader of the Opposition from 2021 to 2023 following the defeat of the Liberal-National coalition in the 2021 state election.[1][2] Throughout her parliamentary career, Davies advocated for regional Western Australia, prioritizing improvements in infrastructure, education, health services, agriculture, mining, and small businesses, while emphasizing practical environmental stewardship rooted in rural experiences.[2] Her tenure highlighted a commitment to common-sense policies for rural and regional constituencies, earning her recognition for diligence in committee work on legislation and oversight bodies such as the Corruption and Crime Commission.[1] After leaving state politics, Davies contested the newly created federal Division of Bullwinkel in the 2025 Australian federal election but conceded defeat to Labor candidate Trish Cook.[3] In September 2025, The Nationals WA awarded her life membership in acknowledgment of her 17 years of service and leadership contributions to the party.[4]
Early life and education
Upbringing and family background
Mia Davies was born on 3 November 1978 in Perth, Western Australia.[5] She grew up on her family's farm in Yorkrakine, a rural locality in the Wheatbelt region near Wyalkatchem, where agricultural life instilled an early appreciation for regional challenges.[6][7] Her parents played key roles in shaping her community-oriented upbringing. Her mother worked as a teacher at the local school, contributing to educational initiatives, while her father, Dexter Davies, was deeply involved in rural advocacy, including service on the Parents and Citizens association and active participation in the National Party of Australia (WA).[6][8] Dexter Davies, a farmer and sports enthusiast, later entered politics as a Nationals member of the Western Australian Legislative Council from 1989 to 2000, exemplifying the family's commitment to public service.[9] Davies' early experiences included limited social sports compared to her father's extensive involvement, alongside personal interests in literature, music, and art, reflecting a balanced rural childhood.[5] This farming heritage and parental influence fostered her later focus on regional policy and political engagement.[10][11]Formal education
Davies completed her secondary education at Methodist Ladies' College in Perth, graduating in the class of 1995.[12][5] She initially enrolled in university to study biological sciences, aspiring to pursue a career as a veterinarian.[8] Subsequently, she obtained a degree in marketing and media, which prepared her for subsequent roles in policy research and administration.[5]Pre-political career
Professional roles in marketing and policy
Prior to her election to the Western Australian Parliament in 2009, Mia Davies held advisory and administrative roles within political party offices and industry bodies, leveraging her background in marketing and media.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation">State parliamentary career
Service in the Legislative Council (2009–2013)
Davies was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council representing the Agricultural Region on 6 September 2008, with her term commencing on 22 May 2009 as part of the Thirty-Eighth Parliament.[1] At age 30 during the election, she became the youngest member of the Legislative Council upon taking office.[5] As a Nationals WA member, her entry aligned with the party's expansion following the 2008 state election, where Nationals secured seats in both houses and contributed to the implementation of the Royalties for Regions program, directing mining royalties toward regional infrastructure and services.[13] During her tenure from 22 May 2009 to 12 February 2013, Davies served as Party Secretary to the Parliamentary National Party from 22 June 2009 until 1 January 2012, supporting internal party coordination and strategy amid the Nationals' role in the crossbench balance of power under the Labor minority government.[1][14] Her representation of the Agricultural Region emphasized advocacy for rural and farming communities, consistent with Nationals WA priorities, though specific legislative initiatives from this period focused on broader party efforts to secure funding for regional development.[1] Davies' service concluded with her transition to the Legislative Assembly ahead of the 2013 election, during which a casual vacancy in the Council was filled by another Nationals member.[7] This period marked her initial parliamentary experience, building toward subsequent leadership roles within the Nationals WA.[5]Transition to the Legislative Assembly and ministerial positions (2013–2021)
Davies resigned her seat in the Legislative Council for the Agricultural Region on 12 February 2013 to contest the Legislative Assembly electorate of Central Wheatbelt at the state election held on 9 March 2013.[15] [7] She secured the seat with 58.3% of the two-party-preferred vote against Labor, becoming the member for Central Wheatbelt.[16] Following the Nationals WA's agreement to support the Liberal-led minority government after the election, Davies was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Regional Development, Lands, and as Minister Assisting the Minister for State Development on 21 March 2013, a role she held until 11 December 2014.[15] [16] In November 2013, she was elected unopposed as deputy leader of the Nationals WA, succeeding Terry Redman and becoming the first woman in that position for the party.[15] [17] On 8 December 2014, Davies was elevated to the ministry as Minister for Water, Sport and Recreation, and Forestry in the Barnett-Grylls government, portfolios she retained until the government's defeat at the 11 March 2017 state election.[15] [17] In these roles, she oversaw initiatives including water resource management amid drought conditions, the development of recreational facilities, and sustainable forestry policies, though specific outcomes were constrained by the government's fiscal challenges and eventual loss of power.[15] After the 2017 election, with the Nationals WA entering opposition, Davies did not hold government ministerial positions through 2021, instead focusing on shadow portfolios such as regional development and finance, amid the McGowan Labor majority that reduced non-Labor representation.[15] [17] Her time in the Legislative Assembly until the 2021 election solidified her advocacy for rural interests, building on her earlier Council experience.[16]Final term and retirement announcement (2021–2025)
Davies was re-elected to the seat of Central Wheatbelt in the March 2021 Western Australian state election, securing 68.5% of the two-party-preferred vote against Labor. Following her resignation as Opposition Leader on January 27, 2023, she continued serving as a Nationals WA backbencher, focusing on regional issues such as agriculture and infrastructure in her electorate. During this period, she cited exhaustion from leadership demands, stating she had "no fuel left in the tank" and announcing she would not recontest her seat at the 2025 state election, effectively signaling her retirement from state politics.[17][18] In July 2024, Davies reversed her earlier retirement stance by confirming her candidacy for the newly created federal Division of Bullwinkel in the upcoming election, motivated by concerns over federal Labor policies impacting Western Australia's agriculture and resources sectors.[19] To facilitate this transition, she resigned from the Western Australian Parliament, delivering her valedictory speech on November 28, 2024, in which she reflected on 15 years of service advocating for rural communities and critiqued urban-centric policy-making.[20] Her departure prompted a by-election for Central Wheatbelt, won by Nationals WA's Colin Holt in February 2025. Davies contested the federal election on May 3, 2025, but lost Bullwinkel to Labor's Melissa Price with 42.3% of the primary vote, failing to secure the seat amid a national Coalition setback.[21] On May 7, 2025, she confirmed the end of her 15-year political career, stating she had no further plans to run for office and would pursue private sector opportunities, including advocacy for domestic gas reservations.[22] In recognition of her contributions, Nationals WA awarded her life membership at their September 2025 state conference.[4]Leadership roles
Deputy leadership of Nationals WA (2013–2017)
Mia Davies was elected deputy leader of The Nationals WA on 26 November 2013, marking her as the first woman in the role.[23][15] The selection occurred during a party room meeting following Terry Redman's uncontested election as leader on 19 November 2013, after incumbent Brendon Grylls resigned over internal divisions stemming from his advocacy for increased mining royalties, which drew opposition from industry stakeholders and coalition partners.[24][25] Davies, the Member for Central Wheatbelt, edged out contender Wendy Duncan in the vote and received endorsement from Redman, who emphasized her policy experience as a former adviser to Grylls and executive at the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia.[23][26] In her deputy capacity under Redman, Davies assisted in steering the party's parliamentary strategy within the Liberal-National coalition government, prioritizing advocacy for regional infrastructure, water management, and sports development to counter urban-centric policies.[23] She stated her intent to collaborate with Redman to ensure "regional WA receives due political consideration," reflecting the party's core focus on rural electorates.[23] Concurrently appointed to cabinet in December 2013 as Minister for Water and Minister for Sport and Recreation, she oversaw initiatives including water resource allocation for agricultural regions and progressed planning for Perth Stadium, a $1.6 billion project aimed at boosting state events and economic activity.[27][28] Tensions emerged in August 2016 when Redman resigned amid a leadership ballot triggered by poor party polling and coalition strains; Davies withheld public support for Redman during the contest, which Grylls won to reclaim the leadership.[29][30] She retained the deputy position under Grylls through the lead-up to the 2017 state election, where the Nationals lost seats, culminating in her succession to the leadership on 14 March 2017 after Grylls' defeat in Pilbara.[15][31] Throughout her tenure, Davies contributed to maintaining party cohesion amid governmental portfolio demands, though specific internal decisions as deputy remain limited in public records beyond leadership transitions.[16]Leadership of Nationals WA (2017–2023)
Mia Davies was elected leader of The Nationals WA on 21 March 2017, succeeding Brendon Grylls, who had lost his seat in the state election held the previous week.[32] Her uncontested ascension, alongside Jacqui Boydell as deputy leader, represented a milestone as the first woman to lead the party and the inaugural female National Party leader across Australia.[33] [1] During her tenure, Davies led the party as part of the Liberal-National coalition government until the 2021 state election, after which The Nationals WA transitioned to opposition while holding onto four Legislative Assembly seats in regional electorates, including her own Central Wheatbelt.[34] The leadership emphasized advocacy for rural and regional Western Australia, prioritizing enhanced infrastructure, agricultural viability, and resource industry support to counter urban-centric policies.[2] Davies announced her resignation as party leader on 27 January 2023, effective 30 January, citing exhaustion after extensive service in senior roles with "no fuel in the tank" remaining, though she intended to complete her term as MLA without seeking re-election in 2025.[17] [18] The decision surprised observers, who viewed her as a stabilizing influence amid coalition challenges.[35] In recognition of her contributions, The Nationals WA awarded her life membership in September 2025.[4]Opposition leadership (2021–2023)
Following the Western Australian state election on 13 March 2021, in which the Labor Party secured a landslide victory with 53 seats in the 59-seat Legislative Assembly, the Liberal Party was reduced to two seats, prompting the resignation of their leader, Zak Kirkup, on 26 March 2021. Mia Davies, as leader of The Nationals WA which retained four seats, was elected unopposed as Leader of the Opposition on 14 April 2021, becoming the first member of the National Party to hold the position since 1947.[1][36] This appointment marked an unusual arrangement in the opposition coalition, with Davies overseeing a combined Nationals-Liberal shadow ministry comprising just six members in the lower house against Labor's commanding majority. Davies' leadership focused on scrutinizing the McGowan government's policies amid ongoing economic recovery from COVID-19 restrictions and rising cost-of-living pressures, emphasizing accountability in areas such as regional infrastructure, agriculture, and resource sector regulations.[36] Despite the opposition's limited numbers, which constrained legislative influence, she advocated for greater support for rural and regional Western Australia, critiquing urban-centric decision-making and pushing for reforms in mining royalties and energy policies.[4] The coalition faced significant challenges, including internal Liberal Party disarray and the dominant popularity of Premier Mark McGowan, whose government enjoyed approval ratings above 60% during this period.[17] On 27 January 2023, Davies announced her resignation as Leader of the Opposition and leader of The Nationals WA, effective after the next party meeting, citing exhaustion after serving in demanding roles for over five years.[17] She stated, "I’ve given everything I’ve got to this role, but I don’t have enough fuel left in the tank to continue," while affirming her commitment to remain as the member for Central Wheatbelt until the 2025 election.[18] Her departure prompted Liberal deputy leader Libby Mettam to assume the opposition leadership on 30 January 2023, shifting dynamics within the coalition ahead of the next state poll.[35]Policy positions and legislative achievements
Advocacy for regional development and agriculture
Davies, raised on a broadacre cropping and sheep farm in the Wheatbelt region, consistently emphasized the economic importance of agriculture to Western Australia's prosperity throughout her parliamentary career.[37] As a representative of the Agricultural Region from 2008 to 2013 and later the Central Wheatbelt electorate, she advocated for policies addressing rural challenges such as water security, research funding, and infrastructure to support farming communities.[2] Her background informed a focus on practical, sector-driven solutions, including opposition to urban-biased resource allocation that disadvantaged regional producers.[11] In ministerial roles, including as Minister Assisting on Water from 2016, Davies oversaw the multimillion-dollar Water for Food initiative, which expanded irrigated agriculture in the Ord River Irrigation Area by enhancing water infrastructure and enabling new cropping opportunities for farmers.[38] She also championed Royalties for Regions investments, securing funding for 20 agricultural research and development projects across the state in 2016 to improve productivity and resilience in farming.[39] These efforts prioritized empirical outcomes like increased yields and export viability over regulatory burdens, reflecting her view that agriculture underpins food security and regional jobs.[20] As leader of Nationals WA from 2017 to 2023, Davies proposed restoring grassroots grants for regional businesses and communities, aiming to devolve decision-making to Regional Development Commissions to counter perceived mismanagement of funds by Perth-centric governments.[40] She criticized Labor's cuts to agricultural education, pledging in 2020 to reinstate dedicated programs and reverse the abolition of the Director of Agricultural Education role, arguing that such measures eroded skills training essential for the sector's future.[41] In her valedictory speech on November 28, 2024, Davies highlighted securing funding for land acquisition and facility upgrades at the Western Australian College of Agriculture Cunderdin to bolster practical training for aspiring farmers.[20] Davies extended her advocacy to environmental initiatives benefiting regional economies, such as the $20 million Regional Estuaries Initiative announced in April 2016, which funded estuary improvements to support aquaculture and coastal agriculture while maintaining ecological balance. Her positions often stressed causal links between policy support and outcomes like sustained employment in rural areas, positioning Nationals WA as a counterweight to metropolitan priorities that she argued neglected agriculture's contributions to state revenue.[42]Stances on resources, mining, and energy
Davies has consistently advocated for the Western Australian mining sector, emphasizing its economic importance to regional communities and the state's economy. As a former leader of Nationals WA, she positioned the party as a defender of resource industries, arguing that mining royalties and jobs underpin rural prosperity. In an April 15, 2025, statement, she endorsed Labor's Critical Minerals Production Tax Credits policy, which offers incentives for downstream processing of minerals like lithium and rare earths, despite opposition from federal Coalition figures including Angus Taylor.[43][44] She criticized partisan rejection of the policy, stating that "good policy is good policy" regardless of origin, and highlighted its potential to create jobs and value-added exports in WA.[43] This stance aligned with industry groups like the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, which welcomed her support for measures boosting critical minerals development.[45] On energy policy, Davies has prioritized securing domestic gas supplies for WA consumers amid exports from LNG projects. In September 2025, as the newly appointed advocate for the Domgas Alliance, she launched a campaign at Woodside's Pluto LNG facility in Karratha to pressure producers for greater allocation of gas to local markets, noting that only about 15% of Pluto's output currently serves domestic needs despite WA's reliance on gas for industry and power generation.[46] She argued that projects like Pluto, operational since 2012 and producing around 4.9 million tonnes of LNG annually, should prioritize state energy security over export volumes, echoing long-standing calls for reservation policies to mitigate price volatility and supply shortages.[46] This reflects Nationals WA's broader platform under her leadership, which balanced resource extraction with practical energy affordability for regional users. Regarding the energy transition, Davies expressed support for a net-zero emissions target by 2050 during her tenure as party leader. On October 11, 2021, she described Nationals WA as a "science-based organisation" committed to the goal, provided it incorporates technological innovation and avoids abrupt disruptions to fossil fuel-dependent economies.[47] However, her advocacy consistently subordinated renewables expansion to maintaining resource sector viability, critiquing urban-focused policies that overlook mining's role in funding infrastructure and criticizing federal approaches that she viewed as ideologically driven rather than evidence-based.[47] In campaign rhetoric, she reaffirmed backing for "world-class" mining alongside agriculture, framing resources as essential to WA's sovereign wealth rather than transitional relics.[48]Critiques of urban-centric governance and other positions
Davies has consistently criticized Western Australian government policies for favoring Perth and metropolitan areas at the expense of regional communities, arguing that such urban-centric approaches exacerbate disparities in infrastructure, services, and representation.[49] As Opposition Leader, she opposed the McGowan Labor Government's 2021 electoral reforms implementing "one vote, one value" for the Legislative Council, which equalized district populations and reduced the number of rural and regional seats from six to four, contending that the changes would silence regional voices in favor of urban majorities without a public mandate.[50] [51] She advocated for a statewide referendum on the reforms to allow all Western Australians, including those in sparsely populated regions, to decide on alterations that she viewed as diminishing non-metropolitan influence.[51] In parliamentary addresses and public statements, Davies highlighted how successive Perth-dominated governments neglected regional needs, such as equitable funding for roads, hospitals, and education, often prioritizing urban projects despite regions generating much of the state's resource wealth.[52] She supported the Nationals WA-initiated Royalties for Regions program, established in 2008 to allocate 25% of mining royalties directly to non-metropolitan areas, as a corrective mechanism against decades of urban bias in budget allocations that left regional infrastructure underfunded.[49] Davies warned that without such targeted investments, regional economies reliant on agriculture and mining would continue to lag, framing the urban-rural divide as a policy failure rather than geographic inevitability.[53] Beyond governance critiques, Davies held firm positions on resource industries vital to regional WA, opposing Labor's phase-out of live sheep exports by 2028, which she argued would destroy thousands of rural jobs and ignore community consultations in export-dependent areas like the Wheatbelt.[54] She advocated for balanced energy policies supporting gas reservations for domestic use while critiquing federal interventions that disadvantaged WA's liquefied natural gas sector, emphasizing state sovereignty over resources extracted from regional lands.[55] On banking, Davies submitted evidence to federal inquiries on branch closures in regional Australia, decrying their role in eroding local economies and access to essential services, often overlooked in urban-focused financial regulations.[56]Controversies and internal party challenges
Handling of federal party issues and harassment complaints
In February 2018, amid revelations of Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's extramarital affair and associated sexual harassment allegations, Nationals WA leader Mia Davies announced that the Western Australian branch had withdrawn its support for Joyce's continued federal leadership, citing the "ongoing damage" to the Nationals brand at both state and federal levels.[57] Davies directly communicated this position to Joyce, emphasizing that his actions had eroded trust within the party.[58] This move positioned Nationals WA as one of the first state branches to publicly distance itself from Joyce, contrasting with more measured responses from eastern state divisions.[59] The controversy intensified with a formal sexual harassment complaint against Joyce lodged by Catherine Marriott, a prominent Western Australian rural advocate and Nationals supporter, who alleged inappropriate advances during a 2017 event.[60] An internal Nationals review, leaked in March 2018, criticized the handling of Marriott's complaint, concluding it had been "compromised" by premature public disclosure and political strategizing, including a pre-complaint teleconference involving Davies and WA Nationals figures on February 19, 2018.[61] The report highlighted Davies' role in coordinating responses, portraying it as blending legitimate grievance processes with efforts to influence federal leadership dynamics, which Joyce dismissed as a "conspiracy" while labeling broader complaint numbers "patently absurd."[62] Davies rejected accusations of orchestrating Joyce's downfall, maintaining that WA Nationals acted to protect party integrity amid mounting federal scandals.[63] Davies advocated for systemic reforms to address sexual harassment across politics, praising Marriott's courage while urging all parties to transcend "righteous indignation" and implement preventive measures.[64] In September 2018, she expressed disappointment over the federal investigation's protracted timeline, which delayed resolution of multiple complaints against Joyce.[65] By June 2021, following Joyce's reinstatement as federal Nationals leader after a party spill, Davies reiterated concerns, stating he needed to "rebuild trust" but voicing personal disappointment at his return, given the prior damage to the party's reputation.[66] [67] Despite internal scrutiny over her strategic involvement, Davies' leadership in Nationals WA remained secure, with no formal challenges emerging from the federal fallout.[68]Allegations of party toxicity and interpersonal incidents
In November 2020, Nationals WA MP Jacqui Boydell, who had served as the party's deputy leader from 2013 to 2017 under Mia Davies, publicly alleged a "toxic environment" within the party, including instances of bullying, threats, intimidation, and "slut shaming" directed at female members.[69][70] Boydell claimed in a parliamentary speech that she had endured a "culture of silence" around such behaviors, citing a specific incident around 2016 where a senior party figure warned her of a sexual harassment allegation leveled against her by a young male staffer, which she described as part of a smear campaign to undermine her position.[71][72] Davies, as party leader, responded by committing to address the claims "head-on," offering to meet Boydell directly and stating that Nationals WA did not tolerate inappropriate behavior, bullying, or toxicity.[73][74] The party initiated a probe into the "slut-shaming" and related allegations, amid broader scrutiny of workplace cultures in Australian politics following federal media exposés.[75] By February 2021, Nationals WA issued an apology to Boydell for its handling of the 2016 harassment complaint against her, acknowledging shortcomings in the process without admitting the underlying allegations' validity.[76] Boydell did not pursue formal disciplinary action, and the party emphasized reforms to improve internal complaint mechanisms, though critics, including Boydell herself, argued the response highlighted persistent interpersonal tensions and power imbalances favoring senior figures during Davies' tenure. These events contributed to perceptions of factional discord, with Boydell retiring from parliament in 2021 after citing exhaustion from such dynamics.[69]Federal political involvement
2025 election campaign for Bullwinkel
Mia Davies, former leader of Nationals WA, was endorsed as the party's candidate for the Division of Bullwinkel, a newly established semi-rural federal electorate in Western Australia spanning Perth's urban fringe and agricultural areas, for the 2025 Australian federal election held on 3 May.[78][2] The contest featured three main candidates: Davies for Nationals, alongside Labor's Matt Moran and Liberal Trish Cook, positioning it as a key battleground for regional representation.[79] The campaign launched on 22 March 2025 in Northam, with Davies emphasizing her 16 years as a state parliamentarian and regional roots in Wyalkatchem to argue for a dedicated advocate against urban-centric policies.[80][81] Core pledges targeted infrastructure upgrades, expanded access to education, healthcare, childcare, and aged care services, bolstering small businesses, mining, and agriculture, and environmental safeguards for land and waterways.[2] A specific commitment included $1.25 million for new sporting and community clubrooms at Burkinshaw Park to enhance local facilities.[82] Davies highlighted support for resource sector incentives, publicly backing Labor's production tax credits for critical minerals processing despite Coalition opposition led by Angus Taylor. She described the policy as meriting cross-party endorsement to drive investment, energy transition, and sovereign manufacturing capability in Western Australia, stating, "Good policy deserves support," and expressing disappointment that the Coalition was not advancing the state's resources interests.[43] This stance underscored tensions within the broader Coalition framework, prioritizing empirical benefits for regional industries over partisan alignment.[83] As counting progressed on election night, Davies conceded on 3 May 2025, acknowledging she would not prevail while thanking volunteers and voters for their support amid an unclear but competitive result.[84] Labor secured the seat with 50.5% of the vote after preferences, marking a gain in the division.[85]Post-parliamentary career
Advocacy roles in agriculture and energy sectors
Following her retirement from the Western Australian Parliament in November 2024, Mia Davies joined the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia (RASWA) in August 2025.[38] Raised on a broadacre cropping and sheep farm in the Wheatbelt region, Davies brings firsthand experience in primary production alongside her 17 years in parliament, where she advocated for agricultural expansion through initiatives like the multimillion-dollar Water for Food program, which developed irrigated precincts to boost food and fibre output.[38] In her RASWA role, she supports the organization's promotion of agricultural shows, education, and networks highlighting the sector's economic contributions, including its foundational role in Western Australia's export economy.[38] In the energy sector, Davies was appointed spokesperson for the DomGas Alliance on September 18, 2025, a coalition of major Western Australian gas users including Alcoa, Coogee Chemicals, and Perdaman Chemicals.[86][87] The appointment coincides with the alliance's push to enforce and strengthen the state's domestic gas reservation policy, which mandates exporters to allocate a portion of production—currently 15%—for local use amid forecasts of shortages from 2026.[86] Davies has prioritized securing additional supply from existing LNG projects, notably targeting Woodside's Pluto facility, which supplies less than 1% of its output domestically despite capacity for more.[87][46] Davies has publicly urged Premier Roger Cook's government to act decisively, warning that weak enforcement risks industrial shutdowns and higher costs for downstream manufacturing, which relies on affordable gas for 40% of its energy needs.[88] In her debut advocacy event at the Pluto project site on September 19, 2025, she outlined three immediate priorities: collaborating with regulators for better compliance monitoring, extending reservation requirements to new projects like Woodside's Scarborough, and negotiating voluntary commitments from exporters to avert a projected 2027 shortfall of up to 70 terajoules per day.[46] Her involvement leverages her parliamentary shadow portfolios in energy and resources, emphasizing supply security over export prioritization.[89]Personal life
Interests and public persona
Mia Davies maintains interests in music, including fandom of the rock band AC/DC and attendance at concerts by AC/DC and Jimmy Barnes; she also plays the guitar and flute.[90][6] Her hobbies extend to sports, as a supporter of the Fremantle Dockers Australian rules football team, and rural events such as the Boddington Rodeo.[6] Davies has pursued travel, including extensive work experience in Europe, alongside broader appreciations for literature and art.[90] Publicly, Davies projects a persona rooted in her rural upbringing on a farm in Yorkrakine, Western Australia, where she describes herself as having been shy during school years before entering politics unexpectedly.[6] She identifies as a feminist, defining the term as advocacy for strong, confident women to assume leadership and decision-making roles, while critiquing self-doubt as a barrier for women.[6] Known for a hardworking approach, with a reportedly packed schedule devoid of idle time, her image emphasizes resilience and community advocacy, often framed through the lens of "country grit" in facing political adversities.[6][91]References
- https://www.[news.com.au](/page/News.com.au)/national/western-australia/wa-nationals-mp-says-there-is-a-culture-of-silence-around-bullying-of-women-in-politics/news-story/8b7c1af0fc3508c13441355f324c648e