Perth Voice Interactive

ARE Michael and Michelle Sutherland the new power couple of the WA Liberal party?

Last Thursday Mr Sutherland, a former WA parliamentary speaker, was appointed president of the Mt Lawley branch of the Liberal party.

His wife Michelle is the president of the neighbouring Yokine branch.

The two branches will be involved in preselecting the Mt Lawley Liberal candidate for the next state election in 2021.

Mr Sutherland says he’ll be “keeping the wheels oiled” until then, making sure the Liberal party maintains a strong presence in the area.

“I’ll be flying the flag nice and high,” he says.

The colourful, South African ex-pat was the Mt Lawley Liberal MP from 2008-2017; losing last year’s state election to Labor’s Simon Millman. A few months later he unsuccessfully ran for Perth council.

It will be a busy time for the Sutherlands with Michelle recently being re-elected to Bayswater council. Mr Sutherland takes over from Stirling councillor Joe Ferrante as branch president.

by MOLLY SCHMIDT