PREMIER Colin Barnett has summoned 15 Liberal MPs to a meeting this week, in what some see as a pre-emptive strike against a leadership challenge.
Sources claim Mr Barnett, who goes on leave at the end of this week, has been buoyed by the WA results from last Saturday's federal election. The poll showed a Labor primary vote of just 33 per cent in WA.
As a result, it's understood Mr Barnett is now reconsidering an earlier plan to hand over the reins to his deputy, Police Minister Liza Harvey.
But he faces a difficult task convincing disenchanted Liberals he is the best person to lead the State Government to an election in   March.
Sources indicated support had been building for Transport Minister Dean Nalder to take over the leadership as early as next month, but Ms Harvey retains strong backing.
Ms Harvey enjoys the support of powerbroker Peter Collier, while influential members of WA's business community are understood to be pushing for Mr Nalder to be anointed.
State Development Minister Bill Marmion is now being touted as Ms Harvey's possible deputy should a leadership change occur.
Sources said Mr Barnett had sought a meeting with Liberals in seats he believed were vulnerable. Those summoned to the "key seats meeting" on Thursday are Ian Britza, Chris Hatton, Jan Norberger, Paul Miles, Michael Sutherland, Eleni Evangel, Albert Jacob, Nathan Morton, Peter Abetz, Ian Blayney, Matt Taylor, Graham Jacobs, Glenys Godfrey, Frank Alban and John Day.
Liberal state director Andrew Cox will also be present.
"There is speculation Colin has called this meeting to shore up his support," a source told The Sunday Times. "The fact that he has also called to the meeting some Liberals who have margins of up to 12 per cent also tells you he is concerned about his ability to win the election." A spokeswoman for Mr Barnett said such "meetings are not unusual". "It is part of normal campaign preparation," she said.Labor need 10 additional seats to form government. Leader Mark McGowan believes significant swings against the Liberals last Saturday in key seats, such as Pearce in Perth's east, indicates he has a strong chance of victory.