Former South West MLC Diane Evers named on Greens WA Upper House ticket

One-term South West MLC Diane Evers could return to the State’s Upper House after being named on the WA Greens’ ballot for the 2025 election. Ms Evers secured fifth position on the Greens’ ballot, meaning the party will need a significant boost in votes to see her take back her seat. The Greens WA are hopeful of a swing in their favour after being a casualty in Labor’s crushing victory in 2021. With the new Legislative Council rules removing the six electoral regions, a party needs just 2.7 per cent Statewide for each seat. Given the left-wing party received 6.9 per cent of the vote in 2021, a swing in its favour of 6.6 per cent is required for Ms Evers to win a seat. Despite an expected swing against Labor next year compared to their 2021 red wave, it will still be a daunting task as the Greens WA only received 8.6 per cent of the vote in 2017. There is hope for Ms Evers, however, as in the 2022 Federal Senate race, the Greens mustered 14.26 per cent. A vote count that big would see five candidates elected from the party. Ms Evers was former Albany City councillor and held a board position on the Great Southern Development Council before joining parliament. She is behind on the ballot to the only sitting Greens WA MP Brad Pettitt who secured the number one spot and former ABC journalist Sophie McNeill in the second spot. Former MLC Tim Clifford has placed third on the ballot while Conservation Council executive director Jess Beckerling is in fourth spot.