The new member for Cottesloe, Liberal David Honey, is expected to be fast-tracked into the WA Liberals' shadow cabinet after his by-election victory.
Mr Honey picked up almost 60 per cent of the primary vote on Saturday, in what Opposition Leader Mike Nahan called a referendum on the McGowan government's performance during its first year.
"I fully expect David, very quickly, to get to the front bench," Dr Nahan told reporters in Cottesloe on Sunday.
But Mr Honey denies he has an eye on any particular portfolio.
"I'll just do whatever I can do to help the team," he said.
A "farmer by birth and scientist by trade", Mr Honey holds a doctorate in chemistry and has come to politics after a long career in business.
Dr Nahan says the former state party president has several key skills, including experience with bureaucracy, which will ease his transition into parliament.
"I think he's the first true scientist ever elected to the West Australian parliament," he said.
However the party has been criticised for missing the opportunity to field a female candidate in the coastal safe seat, which has been held by the Liberals since it was first formed in 1950.
"It's clear that the electorate was looking at the candidate. They're not going into identity politics," Mr Honey said.
Dr Nahan says the party had put forward the person preferred by the people of Cottesloe.
Labor did not field a candidate but instead ran a negative campaign, including a website launched the morning of the by-election.
Premier Mark McGowan said they had brought attention to the Liberal Party's policies.
"It brings attention...to a modern Liberal party that's pretty dysfunctional," he said.
Seven minor parties and independent candidates also contested the by-election but failed to convert enough Labor votes on the day.
Australian Associated Press
