It was held for most of its history by Liz Constable, the independent former member for Floreat who had won the predecessor seat in a 1991 by-election. However, the seat's demographics suggested it was a strongly Liberal seat on paper, and it was taken for granted Constable would be succeeded by a Liberal once she retired.
The seat held by Liz Constable, an independent former member from Floreat who won the predecessor seat in a 1991 by-election, remained vacant for most of its history.  However, the seat's demographics suggested it was a strong Liberal seat, and it was anticipated that a Liberal would succeed Constable when she retired.