Augusta-Margaret River Deputy Shire president Julia Meldrum is unrepentant about a private Facebook post at the weekend labelling Liberal voters “d***heads” - but has apologised to those who might feel offended.

The post was widely circulated in the aftermath of the Liberal Party’s shocking election win at the weekend, a victory which looked impossible given the pre-election opinion polls.

Margaret River is located in the seat of Forrest, which saw a 2.4 per cent swing towards Liberal incumbent and Liberal Party whip Nola Marino.

However the local polling booth saw Labor secure 51.2 per cent of votes in the two party preferred stakes.

The post, which Cr Meldrum said was since deleted, was in response to the usual Facebook prompt of “what’s on your mind?”

“Hmmmmm, F*** you Libs Supporters … good on you, you d***heads!!!!!” she wrote.

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Asked about the reaction to the post, Cr Meldrum said she was motivated by alarm at inaction on climate change.

“I’m obviously quite passionate about it, and I’ve had enough,” she told the Augusta Margaret River Times.

“There’s nothing personal in that. I was talking more broadly to the Government (election) decision.

“It’s not that I don’t regret saying that, but it was primarily motivated by fear for my children’s future.”

Shire president Pam Townshend said the post was “ill advised”, but Cr Meldrum would not be asked to step aside from her deputy duties.

Instead, she was urged to apologise to local Liberal leaders who have ongoing dealings with the Shire.

Camera Icon Julia Meldrum. Credit: Gordon Becker

Liberal Party stalwarts in the region said they were shocked by the comments and the fact they were made by an elected official, but none wished to take the matter further.

Cr Meldrum issued an apology in a formal statement late on Wednesday.

“I wish to state in response to my comment on Facebook I apologise to anyone who felt hurt by my comment,” she said.

“I do not align with a political party.

“The Liberals’ fear campaign used was very disappointing and I feel extremely disappointed and angry that they won on the basis of this fear and that Australians now do not have a Government that is committed to acknowledging the urgency of climate action.”