A Bunbury businessman says he was so frustrated over speculation longstanding MP Adele Farina could lose her spot in the Upper House to a rival within her own party he has taken to the streets to protest.
There are reports Ms Farina faces being bumped from her winnable second spot on the South West ticket, in favour of Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan, in an internal party shuffle.
This week local businessman Nick De Marte stepped up the campaign, taking to the streets of Bunbury with an electronic billboard, mounted on a trailer, to plead with Premier Mark McGowan not to allow Ms Farina to be moved aside.
It follows moves by local branch of the Labor Party earlier this year to speak out in support of Ms Farina, who has held the seat for 19 years.
Mr De Marte, who has already displayed banners outside his crane-hire business, said it was his last resort.
"I've directed emails to the various ministers and also to the Labor hierarchy, but unfortunately no-one in Perth wanted to discuss the matter," he said.
He said he was not a Labor Party member or donor, but had appreciated Ms Farina's help with his Victoria Square building development.
Both new Labor Party state secretary Tim Picton and Ms MacTiernan have stressed the preselection process is not yet open, ahead of the election next year.
Ms MacTiernan said no decision had been made.
"I'm focused on continuing to deliver for regional WA, not on party issues," she said.
But Ms Farina issued a statement acknowledging the speculation and reiterating her intention to stand for the seat.
"I sincerely thank Mr De Marte and the many constituents who have contacted me and my office indicating their strong support that I remain their representative," she said.
Political science associate professor Martin Drum, from Notre Dame University, said despite Premier Mark McGowan's popularity over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Labor still faced an uphill battle to secure regional seats at next year's state election.
"I think the thinking is more about Alannah MacTiernan than Adele," Dr Drum said.
"There's a lot of competition for spots in the metropolitan region, and of those people in the Upper House in the metro region that make the most sense to move to a regional area is Alannah MacTiernan, the regional development minister."
Dr Drum said local support would hold less sway for preselection to the Upper House compared to those holding marginal lower seat houses.
