Andrew Hastie warns Zempilas against waving 'white flag' in by-election

Prominent WA federal Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has intensified his criticism of state opposition leader Basil Zempilas's strategy for Saturday's Secret Harbour by-election, suggesting he was putting up the white flag in the same way the Liberals disastrously admitted defeat before the 2021 state election.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is in Perth but did not campaign in Secret Harbour, seized on the deepening rift between the Liberals, saying they were "running dead" in Secret Harbour and had basically folded into One Nation.Speaking on the ABC's 7.30 Report, Mr Hastie said it was clear, from what Labor and the Liberals told him, that One Nation candidate Luke Herdegen was ahead in the by-election, and the major parties needed to do much better in responding to the concerns of people in outer-metropolitan areas.Luke Herdegen pictured with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)Mr Hastie said he disagreed with the premise, put forward repeatedly by Mr Zempilas, that a Labor loss in Secret Harbour will be a victory for the Liberals, even if they don't win."This is a state election contested on state issues, and I don't accept this idea that a win for One Nation is a win for the Liberal Party," Mr Hastie said. "We're fighting for our lives, and we should be fighting for every single vote in Secret Harbour."Basil Zempilas said that a win for One Nation would be an opportunity. I don't see that at all."'Voters sense weakness'Mr Hastie then referenced the comments by former state Liberal leader Zak Kirkup three weeks before the 2021 state election, where the opposition was decimated, that he did not expect to win."The lesson from the 2021 state election is, you don't wave the white flag," Mr Hastie said."Voters sense weakness, and they'll go to the strong horse if you signal weakness."He stated he did not agree with the state Liberals' political strategy in Secret Harbour and the message should be they were fighting for every vote."I think we could have signalled to voters that we're fighting for them, we're fighting for a better deal for outer metropolitan Western Australians," he said.Mr Zempilas has been contacted for comment.Zempilas 'promoting' One Nation: PMThe prime minister was interviewed on 102.5 ABC Perth this morning, where he continued the line of attack used by Premier Roger Cook to accuse the Liberals of giving up.Anthony Albanese shares a laugh with WA Premier Roger Cook in Perth this morning. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)"The Libs are running dead in Secret Harbour. Let's get real here," Mr Albanese said.Mr Zempilas yesterday mocked Mr Albanese for not going to Secret Harbour, with a Where's Wally-type sign which said "Where's Albo?""Who is the state Liberal leader?" the prime minister asked in response."He's not even trying to run the by-election. He's out there promoting another political party."I want my party to win. Does Basil? I don't think so."The prime minister defended his decision not to campaign in Secret Harbour for Labor candidate Georgia Tree, saying he never campaigned in by-elections.