No really, it’s happening. The WA Liberals have voted 89-73 in favour of a motion – now nicknamed ‘Waxit’ – that could see the state become “financially independent” from the rest of the country.
The original motion put forward at their state conference actually proposed WA becoming an independent state within the Commonwealth, but this was later amended.
The move was apparently inspired by the Brexit vote that saw Britain withdraw from the European Union, with its supporters arguing WA pays too much GST revenue to Canberra.
But despite Liberal state president Norman Moore saying they are not the “lunatic fringe”, the news has been met with amusement on social media.
It’s not the first time the state has threatened to leave. In a 1933 referendum, 68 per cent of West Australians voted to secede but the result was overturned by the British Parliament.
A committee will now examine the Liberal motion and report back next year.
We’re not sure it will be a goer however. At last count, the Secession WA Facebook page had just 16 likes and 19 followers.
