Central Wheatbelt MP Mia Davies hints life post-Parliament could be about ‘more than just tea and scones’

Mia Davies has hinted at how she might spend some of her spare time when she retires from State Parliament in 18 months — and it involves more than just drinking tea and eating scones. The former Opposition Leader was a guest speaker at the CWA of WA’s State Conference in Perth this week, where she said her post-Parliament pursuits could involve joining a CWA branch to give back to the community. The Central Wheatbelt MP has spent several years as an associate member, which incurs a $90 annual fee but does not require the fee-payer to attend branch meetings. Ms Davies grew up in Wyalkatchem and was the first female to be appointed Deputy Leader and later Leader of the WA Nationals before becoming WA Opposition Leader. “I wanted to say thank you to you for all the work you do in our communities, not only for the funds you raise, the support you provide … that goes unsung in many cases,” she told the crowd. “I am an associate member and will continue to be one for as long as I can. “Perhaps in a year-and-a-half when I am not a member of Parliament and have a little more time, I can commit to be a branch member and attending one of my local branch meetings.” The CWA of WA set about to prove its membership was about more than “just tea and scones” in 2018 when the group held its first rally on the steps of State Parliament, protesting against the then-McGowan Government’s cuts to rural education. Ms Davies announced her shock resignation as both the leader of the WA Nationals and as Opposition Leader in January, but plans to remain in Parliament as Central Wheatbelt MP until 2025. At the time, she said she had been determined not to be a “career Parliamentarian” and felt 17 years was “enough” — fighting back tears describing her time leading the Nationals for six years. She also denied she was quitting because of reforms to Upper House voting that pose an existential threat to her country party, but acknowledged the composition of the current Parliament – with Labor holding 53 of 59 seats in the Legislative Assembly – had exacerbated the grind of opposition. The CWA of WA will celebrate 100 years next year, after the inaugural Nungarin branch was formed in 1924, with plenty of events and celebrations planned for the next 18 months. Ms Davies finished her speech at the group’s State Conference by saying its members were the “role models” society needed. “You go about your work making sure the community is looked after and you find your voices on issues that are so important to our regions,” she said. Full coverage of the CWA of WA’s annual State Conference will be published in the July 27 edition of the Countryman.