Basil Zempilas
Basil Zempilas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Basil Anthony Zempilas July 30, 1971 Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, television and radio host, sports analyst, columnist, former athlete |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Known for | Lord Mayor of Perth (2020–2025), Leader of the Western Australian Liberal Party (2025–present) |
Basil Anthony Zempilas (; born 30 July 1971) is an Australian political figure currently leading the Western Australian Liberal Party and representing the Churchlands seat in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly since March 2025. Prior to this, he held the position of Lord Mayor of Perth from 2020 until 2025.
In addition to his political career, Zempilas has a background as a former athlete, television and radio host, sports analyst, and columnist. Until 2022, he delivered sports segments on Seven News Perth from Monday through Thursday and joined Weekend Sunrise as a co-presenter in 2018. His media work includes participation in the Seven Network's commentary team for the AFL as well as co-hosting morning radio shows on Perth stations such as 92.9, 6PR, and Triple M Perth.
Early life
Zempilas has Greek heritage; both his parents, Jessie and Anthony, descend from families originating on the island of Kastellorizo. He completed his primary education at Floreat Park Primary School and attended Hale School in Perth, where he was a schoolmate of fellow Liberal politician Christian Porter. In 1992, he earned a degree in Media Studies and Mass Communications from Perth’s Murdoch University.
As an athlete, Zempilas played as a ruckman and forward for the West Perth Football Club, participating in 24 matches within the West Australian Football League from 1990 to 1994. During this period, he scored 25 goals before an injury led him to retire from the sport.
Media career
Zempilas commenced his media journey at the Seven Network in February 1994, starting out as a cadet reporter specializing in sports. His coverage of an incident involving the Melbourne Football Club being barred from a West Coast Eagles training session earned him accolades including "Best News Story" and "Best Television Personality" awarded by the Western Australia Football Commission.
By 1996, he had advanced to weekend sports anchor for Seven News, a role he maintained until Seven lost AFL broadcasting rights in 2001. His hosting credits include Basil's Footy Show along with co-hosting events such as the 1998 World Aquatics Championships and Perth at Five. Since covering the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Zempilas has been an integral part of Seven’s Olympic broadcast team, providing commentary across various Games and disciplines like speed skating, rowing, basketball, canoe/kayak, and AFL.
Currently serving as the senior sports presenter on Seven News Perth, Zempilas has also contributed AFL commentary for Melbourne’s 1116 SEN radio. He was a co-host on Perth’s breakfast program Lisa, Paul & Baz until November 2013 before joining the breakfast show on 6PR alongside Steve Mills starting January 2014.
Between 2012 and 2018, Zempilas played a vital role within Seven Network’s expanded AFL commentary team, primarily calling weekend matches and some weekday night games while balancing commitments such as hosting Weekend Sunrise. His commentary portfolio also includes Seven’s Australian Open tennis coverage, and he serves as host for the annual Channel Seven Perth Telethon.
In March 2018, Zempilas was named co-host of Weekend Sunrise, succeeding Andrew O'Keefe. He stepped back from regular hosting duties in September 2019 to prioritize family time but remains involved occasionally. Matt Doran took over hosting responsibilities in October 2019.
Due to conflicts arising from ownership issues between Seven West Media and 6PR, Zempilas ended his association with 6PR in October 2020. Shortly after departing from 6PR in December that year, he began hosting the breakfast show on Triple M Perth, teaming up with Jenna Clarke and Xavier Ellis.
In February 2022, Zempilas reduced his involvement with Seven Network by relinquishing his role as sports presenter on Seven News Perth.
Political career
In January 2020, Zempilas declared his intention to run for the position of Lord Mayor of the City of Perth. He indicated that, if successful, he would step down from his role at 6PR but continue his involvement with Seven News. His visibility in the media and backing from his employer, The West Australian, attracted criticism regarding possible conflicts of interest. The Western Australian Electoral Commission cautioned him that any columns endorsing his campaign required official approval.
Lord Mayor of Perth (2020–2025)
Zempilas secured victory in the mayoral election held on 17 October 2020, receiving 1,855 votes (29.44%) and surpassing six contenders, including former ABC journalist Di Bain, by a margin of 284 votes. He was officially sworn in on 19 October 2020, committing to a leadership style characterized by collaboration and consultation.
In December 2021, Zempilas announced plans to pursue re-election in the 2023 Perth City Council election, expressing a desire to complete projects initiated during his current term. That same year, he was also identified as a prospective Liberal Party candidate for the forthcoming Western Australia state election.
He was successfully re-elected as Lord Mayor in the 2023 with 3,264 votes (56.50%).
On 27 January 2024, The West Australian revealed Zempilas' intention to join the Liberal Party and seek preselection for the electoral district of Churchlands. He plans to remain in the Lord Mayor role unless elected to parliament, taking only a leave of absence during the 2025 election campaign, following the example set by former Wanneroo mayor Tracey Roberts.
Liberal leader
During the campaign for the 2025 Western Australian state election, Zempilas was named as the Liberal candidate for Churchlands and won the seat from Labor MP Christine Tonkin. Two weeks following his electoral success, he was chosen unopposed as Leader of the WA Liberal Party, thereby assuming the position of Opposition Leader in the state.
Controversies
In January 2007, Zempilas pleaded guilty to drink driving, resulting in a fine and a three-month suspension of his driver's licence.
In November 2019, through his column in The West Australian, Zempilas pledged to "clean up" Perth’s city center by removing rough sleepers if elected Lord Mayor. He stated that homeless individuals needed to be relocated from Hay and Murray street malls "forcibly, if that's what it takes." These remarks were criticized for their perceived lack of compassion and inspired a guerrilla art installation.
A Channel 7 interview conducted by Zempilas in March 2020 with former West Coast Eagles captain Ben Cousins, who had publicly struggled with addiction and legal issues, sparked controversy. The interview received widespread condemnation over its tone and concerns about exploitation; however, Zempilas and Channel 7 defended airing it despite disclosures that Cousins was compensated.
During his 2020 mayoral campaign, accusations arose that Zempilas leveraged his media profile to promote himself and "stack" the council with allies, including his cousin Gary Mitchell. Additionally, he proposed increasing council rates on landlords with vacant retail properties—a policy criticized by the Property Council of Perth as ill-advised.
After assuming office as Lord Mayor, Zempilas faced scrutiny over potential conflicts due to continuing media engagements. In October 2020, shortly after taking office, he made remarks on his radio program regarded as transphobic: "If you've got a penis mate, you're a bloke. If you've got a vagina, you're a woman. Game over." These comments triggered significant backlash including an apology from Zempilas, an online petition exceeding 11,500 signatures demanding his removal, withdrawal of advertisers from 6PR, and protests from LGBTQ organizations. A joint statement from TransFolk of WA and Pride WA condemned these remarks as detrimental to society. The incident also led to calls for relocating Western Australia's annual PrideFest from Perth to the City of Vincent.
In March 2021, Zempilas faced public criticism on social media over comments directed at Triple M co-host Jenna Clarke during their breakfast show; he defended himself by stating that his remarks were taken out of context.
In September 2021, serving as master of ceremonies for the 2021 AFL Grand Final at Perth's Optus Stadium—the first held in Perth and second outside Victoria—Zempilas suggested via Twitter that attendees observe one minute of applause acknowledging Australia’s ongoing COVID-19 challenges. This gesture was met with online criticism labeling it "tone deaf" and "patronising," though Zempilas maintained his intentions were sincere.
He also drew criticism for his conduct during the post-match ceremony when he did not permit Melbourne Demons coach Simon Goodwin to deliver a customary victory speech. Goodwin later confirmed he had prepared remarks. Zempilas apologized for this oversight describing it as "regrettable" and "disappointing." AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan acknowledged it as an error.
In January 2024, prior to announcing his affiliation with the Liberal Party, Zempilas was caught on a hot mic apparently referring to the Australian Open women's final as a "reserve game." He clarified that this comment was taken out of context and related instead to an informal "derby" between reporter Michael Genovese and Genovese’s partner hosting news on different channels—a clarification supported by Genovese himself.
Personal life
In 2004, Perth-based artist Melinda Mackay created a portrait of Zempilas that was submitted to the Archibald Prize. Additionally, he was recognized as one of Cleo's 50 Most Eligible Bachelors.
Zempilas wed his longtime partner Amy Graham on 6 September 2009 in Kastellorizo, Greece. Together, they have three children: two daughters named Chloe and Ava, and a son.
His real estate holdings include three properties: a main home in Floreat, purchased in 2019 for close to $2 million; a luxury residence in North Coogee acquired in 2007 for $1.6 million; and an apartment located in Northbridge which he obtained during the mid-1990s. In 2023, he sold an apartment in West Perth for $1.9 million.