Nick Goiran has refused to apologise for his role in a factional group known as 'The Clan'. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
When Libby Mettam took the leadership of the Liberals two years ago, she stamped her authority on the job by removing controversial powerbroker Nick Goiran from her shadow cabinet.
It was no small sacrifice, given it left the Liberals with a shadow cabinet of just eight MPs to hold the ultra-powerful Labor government to account.
But the "line in the sand", as she described it, was necessary to send a message.
The saga of "The Clan" had dogged the Liberals since it came to light, with a group of powerbrokers exposed in leaked messages bragging about their influence over local branches and making disparaging comments about women.
To put it to bed, she asked for apologies from the two MPs who were involved and still in parliament.
Peter Collier has apologised for the messages. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
Peter Collier kept his shadow positions by saying sorry. Goiran refused and was dumped.
Practicality prevails
Two years on though, that "line in the sand" has been washed away, with the former lawyer now back as shadow attorney-general and child protection spokesperson without having to apologise.
'A line in the sand': New WA Liberal leader Libby Mettam declares war on factional powerbrokers
Photo shows An extreme close up of a man and a woman wearing glasses
What at the time was a principled stance against Goiran's power and involvement in the group now seems to have given way to a more practical reality — having enough people in shadow cabinet to mount a convincing campaign.
Those pressures are clear on the numbers.
There are just 10 Liberal MPs to share the responsibilities, plus five Nationals members.
Factor in three of those MPs not contesting the election (Peter Collier, David Honey and Donna Faragher) and one facing an uphill battle to return to parliament (Merome Beard) and the numbers become even more difficult.
The dysfunctional state of the Liberal-National Alliance isn't helping things either.
Libby Mettam is appointing "Liberal spokespeople" to portfolios held by the Nationals. (ABC News: Grace Burmas)
Mettam has decided to appoint "Liberal spokespeople" to portfolios currently held by the Nationals, so the party can put its own policies forward.
Given Goiran is an experienced politician and the only qualified lawyer in the party's parliamentary ranks, it's easy to see how practicality can outweigh principle.
Mettam didn't face the media to explain her decision, instead sending out a statement which alluded to her challenge.
"We are a small team but we are totally united in throwing out this tired, incompetent Labor government and all our members will have a role to play," she said.
'Mettam needs to come clean'
But that didn't stop Labor from throwing out their own version of events, reminding people of the failed attempt to replace Mettam with star candidate Basil Zempilas last month.
"Libby Mettam obviously has cut a deal with Nick Goiran to secure her leadership, that's what it looks like," Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson declared.
Amber-Jade Sanderson is accusing Libby Mettam of striking a deal. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
"If it looks like a deal, and it smells like a deal, it's a deal, and Libby Mettam needs to come clean."
Premier Roger Cook followed up in fierce agreement, giving his own explanation for why an apology hadn't been forthcoming.
"It's clear that Libby is unable to compel him to do so because he's in control of the party," Cook said.
Roger Cook says Nick Goiran still holds power in the party. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
Mettam was quick to deny any wheeling-and-dealing was behind Goiran's return.
"There is no deal. Just because Roger Cook did a deal with the unions to make him Premier doesn't mean I did — I did not," she said in a statement.
Complaint 'wholly unsubstantiated': Goiran
Goiran has long rejected claims he's a powerbroker and yesterday offered the same explanation for not giving the apology he'd been asked for.
Goiran referred to an internal Liberal party investigation to justify not apologising. (ABC News: Kenith Png)
"[These matters] relate to a complaint which, following a nine-month inquiry, was dismissed as 'wholly unsubstantiated'," he said in a statement.
Many will have already made their minds up about Goiran though, and Labor will no doubt be looking to convince those who haven't.
Mettam presenting 'image of unity'
And while Mettam's decision to bring Goiran back into the fold has given Labor the perfect set-up for those attacks, political commentator Peter Kennedy believes there could still be an upside.
"I think the public cares about parties that are disunited and parties that are disunited trying to win the support of the public, they're banging their head up against a brick wall," he said.
The move is about the perception of unity, according to Mr Kennedy. (ABC News: Grace Burmas)
"You've got to present an image of unity, and I think that's what she's trying to do now, getting everyone inside the tent.
"Alright, Nick Goiran hasn't apologised, but get him inside the tent, moving in the same direction, because they want to make progress.
"They don't want to be squabbling coming up to the election."
And that was always a risk with Goiran's often ultra-conservative views, had he fronted the election as a backbencher, as opposed to being obliged to toe the party line in shadow cabinet.
Nick Goiran has been appointed the role months out from the election. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)
There's certainly some short-term pain to push through for bringing someone like Goiran back given his history, but it could settle his position as the Liberals deal with other issues like raising enough money for their campaign and offering compelling policies.
They won't have to wait long to find out whether having Goiran's experience behind Mettam helps or hinders those efforts, with Western Australians casting their votes in less than three months' time.
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