WA news LIVE: Average mortgage hits eyewatering highs in WA

Back to the election summit where Liberal leader Libby Mettam has been asked to explain her previous commitment to remove the Aboriginal flag from press conferences at Dumas House if elected next month.

The question has come from audience member Claire, an Indigenous student from Presbyterian Ladies College.

Mettam said that controversy emerged after she was asked about her position following federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton’s decision to dump the Aboriginal flag.

“I recognise that as Western Australians, there are two flags that bind us all,” she said.

“That is no disrespect to the Aboriginal flag, but we are all Western Australians and Australians, and it is simply about [not being] divided by race – there is no disrespect for our oldest continuing, culture.

“My policies…will all be pointing to lifting people up.”

That question did not wash with Claire who said standing in front of the flag was a show of respect for the long history of Aboriginal people in Australia.

“While we understand, yes, we are all Western Australians, regardless of where we come from, who we are I think it’s a show of respect that this was indigenous land, that it still is indigenous land, and that Australia does have a black history,” she said.

Mettam also used her time on stage to hit back at Premier Roger Cook’s comment that a vote for the Liberals would put the state “economy back on its arse.”

“What a garbage comment from a premier who is just trying to distract and deflect away from his own record,” she said.

“Let’s not forget the Labor government…promising to pay down debt like a mortgage and during that period of time, we’ve seen record royalties to the state.

“I will not be lectured by Roger Cook about mismanagement when he has completely mismanaged his government services, essential services and has not even been able to deliver on what he has promised.”