Independent Kate Chaney has declared she will run again for Curtin, only confirming the move after the Liberals preselected Tom White as their candidate in a bid to win back the seat.
The electorate covering Perth’s Golden Triangle was a prized Liberal seat until the 2022 election when the so-called teal independents won a swathe of similar electorates around the country.
Ms Chaney has kept her intentions for the next election closely held, which she conceded on Friday had prompted questions from her constituents as well as media and colleagues.
She labelled speculation about her future a distraction.
“As we’re just over halfway through the term, I intend to remain focused on representing Curtin, rather than campaigning. I’m pretty sure people living in Curtin would prefer I keep working hard for them,” she said.
The WA Liberals state council confirmed last weekend that Mr White, a former Uber executive and one-time adviser to Peter Collier, would be the party’s candidate.
He won preselection over Defence industry advocate and former journalist Matt Moran in a comprehensive 192-64 vote of party members.
Ms Chaney said her campaign platform would focus on there being more work to do to re-establish integrity in politics, reduce emissions and reform the tax system to set the budget on a more solid foundation.
She did not believe the Liberals had changed under Peter Dutton’s leadership.
“In fact, it’s become more divisive and polarised, driven by fear and anger and devoid of genuine policy ideas or constructive engagement. Peter Dutton’s Liberal Party does not represent the values of Curtin,” she said.