LIVE UPDATES: Race to be WA's next Premier after Mark McGowan walks away from politics
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From the State Political Editor Josh Zimmerman on the Houses of Parliament A joint roster with Roger Cook Prime Minister and Rita Saffioti as deputy and treasurer emerged a potential challenge to Amber-Jade Sanderson, despite the Health Secretary's support from the dominant United Labor Union. A Tuesday afternoon meeting of Labor Party's left-wing union mate, Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, is shaping up to be key to ongoing leadership intrigues following shocking resignation of Prime Minister Mark McGowan on Monday. Both Ms Sanderson and Mr Cook are members of the UWU, and Ms Sanderson won the vote 17-11 on Tuesday for union-aligned Labor MPs, formerly known as United Voice. Ms Sanderson walked out of that meeting, claiming she had "a clear majority" and now plans to "reach out to my group-wide colleagues." Mr Cook has not made a public statement since losing the UWU vote, but it appears that he has not yet withdrawn. Ms. Saffioti has not commented since she announced her interest in the leadership on Monday. The AMWU - more commonly referred as metal workers - will now meet to decide whether they will stay behind Ms. Sanderson or potentially leave support Mr. Cook. Seventeen Labor MPs are metalworkers, so the decision to get behind Mr. Cook would leave the race to replace Mr. McGowan completely open. However, AMWU and her entire union that supported Ms. Sanderson would see Labor Party secure a majority of 75-member party group, accepting result of UWU vote and lagging behind her. Western Australia understands that there are discussions between camps Mr Cook and Mr Saffioti about possibility of creating a joint ticket to appeal to widest possible segment party. The most likely combination of this ticket would be for Mr Cook to be nominated as Prime Minister - despite failing to gain the support of his own union - with Ms Saffioti being put forward as his deputy and treasurer. Ms. Saffioti is impartial like Mr. McGowan. The current Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister pairing is considered in some Labor circles to be more attractive than Ms Sanderson for the 22 MPs who make up the party's right wing. The battle for leadership threatens to prolong and potentially get ugly if AMWU elects Mr.