Liberal powerbroker Peter Collier has reversed his decision to retire from politics

Liberal powerbroker Peter Collier, one of the most influential figures in WA politics, has reversed his decision to quit politics. Mr Collier confided in colleagues after the Liberal Party’s 2017 election disaster that he would likely retire at the end of this term of parliament. But he revealed exclusively to The West Australian that he changed his mind after a “crescendo” of support from within the party had reached an “avalanche” in recent weeks. He said sentiment towards the Liberals in WA had shifted “profoundly” compared with three years ago and believed the party would return to government at the March 2021 poll. “I am going to renominate for the Legislative Council,” the Leader of the Opposition in the Upper House said. “After the last election I made the decision that I was going to pull up stumps and that wasn’t due to any lack of enthusiasm, endeavour or commitment either to the Liberal Party, Parliament or the people of WA, I just felt that it was time.” After “a bit of soul searching” last week, he spoke with Opposition Leader Liza Harvey and a few close friends before changing his mind. The teacher-turned-politician said Mrs Harvey’s support for him to stand again was “pivotal” but her rise to the party leadership after Mike Nahan’s resignation in June was not a factor. “I made the decision that I can still value-add to the Liberal Party, to the Parliament and most importantly to the people of WA,” the former education minister said. Despite Labor gaining record-breaking swings in 2017, he said the “fickleness” of voters across Australia in recent elections showed no government was guaranteed a second term. The 60-year-old, who calls WA Senator and Federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann his “best mate”, has a significant voice in Parliament and at the party’s grassroots. In recent weeks, he has played a key role in talks between the medical community and Health Minister Roger Cook about amendments to the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill. A prominent critic of Mr Collier is property developer Nigel Satterley. On Sunday, Mr Satterley said the prospect of Mr Collier staying on was a “backward step for the party”. “While he is there, there isn’t a lot of support from the business community for the Liberals. He is seen as a negative factor,” Mr Satterley said. Mr Collier said the comments did not reflect his experience, saying he had an “excellent relationship” with the business community. “Nigel is a member of the Liberal Party but I’ve got to say he’s the only member of the Liberal Party that has not given me overwhelming endorsement,” he said. “I still regard Nigel as a friend, I don’t know why he is so cranky to be honest. He was a friend and I’ve never had reason not to think that was the case other than what I read or hear in the media.” Outside of Parliament, Mr Collier is considered a key figure in the party’s pre-selection process, which kicked off in recent weeks. Mr Collier said he had never told any member how to vote and insisted the process was “much more democratic” after changes he instigated with Senator Cormann.