The WA Nationals have been struck by internal turmoil, with the deputy leadership position to potentially be thrown up for grabs.
North West Central MP Vince Catania has given notice he will move a spill motion against incumbent deputy Jacqui Boydell at today's partyroom meeting, exposing divisions within the nine-member Nationals parliamentary team.
The move follows a shake-up of former government partners the WA Liberals, in which Mike Nahan was replaced by Liza Harvey after he announced his decision to quit as leader earlier this month.
Mr Catania gave notice of the motion against Ms Boydell on Friday but it only emerged yesterday evening.
The fact Mr Catania has given notice of the motion does not require him to actually move it when the party room meets, with MPs saying they expect it would be withdrawn if he felt it did not have the numbers to succeed.
But one senior Nationals source told the ABC they expected there would be a change in the deputy leadership today.
That would not necessarily involve Mr Catania taking on the role, with alternative options — such as former leader Terry Redman — being floated as compromise candidates.
It is believed there is no imminent move against Mia Davies's leadership of the party.
It is understood there has been simmering tension for some time between Mr Catania and Ms Boydell, but that there have also been some concerns about the party's direction.
"I don't think Jacqui has necessarily done anything wrong, in terms of something obvious," one source said.
"It's just a general sense of dissatisfaction that has been there for some time, that some people would like to see things done differently."
Another source said there was "dissatisfaction about policy issues" and concerns about complacency.
Ms Boydell formed the first all-female leadership team in WA politics when she was elected deputy to Ms Davies following the 2017 election.
She is an Upper House MP, serving the Mining and Pastoral region.
Both Ms Boydell and Mr Catania have been contacted for comment.
