Colin Barnett swamped by "fans' At Elizabeth Quay prior to the March election. Credit:James Mooney "He (Mr Barnett) wants the right of reply – even though it will be Nahan (Mike) making the response - he wants to have his say." Another Liberal source said the party had expected the former premier to resign shortly after his 67th birthday on July 15. "To be honest most of us didn't expect him to go back to parliament after the election loss," the insider said. "He wants to go out on his terms, which is fair enough. It's no secret he wants to be there for Labor's first budget, so he doesn't step down after that it will definitely be parliament's last sitting week at the end of November."

Former Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis and ex-Corrective Services Commissioner James McMahon have been linked to seat of Cottesloe. Credit:Liam Ducey Mr Barnett refused to comment on when he would bow out of politics. "I'm not commenting about when I'm going to retire," he told WAtoday. "I'm enjoying working with the new members who have sought out my advice. "I have been working on more national issues than state issues, like the GST and helped write the party's submission to the Productivity Commission.

"I think Mike's doing a good job as leader." When Mr Barnett does quit politics it will trigger a by-election in his seat of Cottesloe which he has held since 1990. A number of former Liberal MPs who lost their seats at the March election are reportedly angling to be pre-selected, including former Corrective Minister Joe Francis and ex-Environment Minister Albert Jacob. The West Australian reported last month that Mr Jacob was planning to run for mayor of the City of Joondalup, depending on whether current incumbent Troy Pickard runs again. As flagged by WAtoday earlier in the year, the party may woo former Liberal leader Matt Birney from the political wilderness to run for Cottesloe with the view of him taking over the reins of the Liberal Party down the track.

Mr Birney's 12 months as leader of the Liberal Party from March 2005 to March 2006 was riddled with the odd controversy and he quit politics in 2009. At 48 he is still regarded as young enough to lead the party, but the problem is finding him a seat. But WAtoday understands Mr Birney is now eyeing off John McGrath's seat of South Perth, with rumours the veteran MP will stand down before the next election. There has also been chatter this week Mr Barnett is keen for former Corrective Services Commissioner James McMahon to be pre-selected for Cottesloe. Mr McMahon quit in April citing personal reasons.

But Mr Barnett wouldn't say if he had any preferences for his seat. "That's not up to me, it's up to the party," he said. "The seat of Cottesloe has had only three members so I would imagine the person would become a future senior minister or even a premier." "I have no doubt the seat will attract a quality person." Mr Birney said while nominating for Cottesloe was "partially attractive", he said the timing wasn't right.

"I would have to extricate myself from the business but I have always said if the opportunity was there I would go back into parliament," he said. The 48-year-old said Mr Francis was the ideal candidate for the seat of Cottesloe. Loading "I think Joe was a great loss to parliament because he brings the right level of energy and enthusiasm," he said. "Even if he doesn't nominate for Cottesloe the party needs to get him back into parliament somehow."