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Former Nats leader turns up the gas on Premier

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, September 23rd 2025 at 4:48 GMT by The West Australian
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Former WA Nationals Leader Mia Davies Leaves Parliament to Take on the Gas Lobby – A New Battleground for Roger Cook

In a move that has sent shockwaves through Western Australian politics, former Nationals leader and sitting member for North West, Mia Davies, announced on Monday that she will be quitting parliament at the end of her term and stepping into the centre of the state’s gas industry lobbying. The announcement was accompanied by a pointed critique of Premier Roger Cook’s approach to gas infrastructure, casting Davies as the latest political voice to challenge the new Labor‑led government’s policy on the energy sector.

A Career Built in the Regions

Davies, 57, served as the Nationals’ leader in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 2020 until the 2021 election, when the party lost all seats in the state parliament. Despite that defeat, she retained her seat for the remote North West region, a seat that had long been a bell‑ringing for the Nationals’ regionalist brand. During her term she held a range of ministerial portfolios – most notably Industry, Trade, Jobs, and Regional Development – where she championed “regional growth and economic diversification” and positioned herself as a champion of the “resource‑based” economy.

Her departure follows months of frustration with the state government’s handling of several high‑profile infrastructure projects, including the controversial North West gas pipeline that would connect the state’s vast natural‑gas reserves to coastal communities. While Davies’ track record was largely praised for her ability to secure investment for the region, her criticisms of Premier Cook’s “slow‑pacing” approvals for gas projects grew increasingly sharp in the last weeks of her tenure.

A New Role in the Gas Lobby

After leaving the parliament, Davies will take up a senior lobbying role with the Australian Gas Association (AGA), the nation’s largest advocate for the gas industry. In a statement released at the time of her resignation, Davies said:

“I have spent my career working for Western Australia’s economic prosperity. The best way to keep that momentum going is to make sure that the state’s rich natural‑gas resources are fully developed and that communities benefit from the jobs and revenue they generate. That is why I am moving into a role that will give me the platform to push for the gas pipeline projects that my constituents have been waiting for for years.”

Her new position will see her champion the “Northern Gas Pipeline” project – a proposal to bring up to 30 billion cubic metres of gas per annum from the Perth Basin to the eastern seaboard. The pipeline has been a key component of the Western Australian government’s “Energy Roadmap,” but it has been stalled by a combination of regulatory delays, community opposition, and, critics argue, a leadership that is prioritising renewable energy at the expense of the state’s lucrative gas industry.

Taking the Heat on Premier Cook

While the announcement was framed as a career transition, it was clear from Davies’ press release that the move is also a direct challenge to Cook. She noted that Cook’s current leadership “has missed an opportunity to secure a future for Western Australia’s gas industry and the people who depend on it.” In her own words:

“Premier Cook’s hesitation to approve projects that would bring jobs and economic growth to rural and regional communities is disheartening. My time in parliament is over, but my commitment to the North West remains.”

The context is that Cook’s first term in office has been marked by a strong focus on “green transition” and the implementation of climate‑policy measures that the gas industry perceives as hostile. Davies has previously called for a “balanced energy mix” that includes gas as a bridge fuel to renewables, a stance that clashes with Cook’s promise to achieve net‑zero emissions by 2050.

Her exit has already sparked comment from the Nationals’ state president, who expressed a mixture of disappointment and admiration for Davies’ courage. “We will miss her in the Assembly,” said the president, “but we respect her decision to fight for Western Australia’s interests outside the parliamentary chamber.”

Implications for the State and the Industry

Davies’ departure opens a new front in the debate over Western Australia’s gas policy. As a former minister and a respected regional advocate, she brings with her a deep network of contacts in government and industry, as well as a strong voice that can resonate with the state’s rural electorate. Her move may embolden the gas lobby to push harder for pipeline approvals, especially as the federal government – which has its own set of climate‑policy priorities – looks to balance environmental goals with economic development.

At the same time, Davies’ criticism of Cook could influence public opinion on the Premier’s leadership. In a state where the Nationals have historically drawn support from remote and regional communities, Davies’ endorsement of a robust gas infrastructure could appeal to voters who feel left behind by a policy that favours urban renewables. Should the gas lobby succeed in securing new approvals, it could deliver the promised jobs and economic growth that many of these communities are craving.

A Wider Political Sign‑post

The move also underscores a broader trend of politicians moving into industry lobbying after their parliamentary careers. While this can be seen as a natural progression for seasoned lawmakers who have built expertise in specific sectors, it raises questions about the revolving door between government and the industries they once regulated. In Davies’ case, the public narrative frames her departure as an “adventure to serve the public good” in a new capacity, but the reality may be more complex.

As the new Premier, Cook will need to navigate the twin demands of a rapidly evolving energy market and a political landscape that is increasingly fractured. Davies’ new role will force him to respond not only to the government’s own policy agenda but also to a lobbying voice that commands the backing of a seasoned former minister.

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