WA Liberals eyeing top spots in a Tony Abbott government Tony Abbott and Julie Bishop. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Australian Senator Mathias Cormann. WA Liberals are clamouring for powerful positions in an Abbott government. Swan MP Steve Irons revealed to The Sunday Times he told the party's "top dogs" he was interested in becoming the health and ageing minister or sports minister. If Mr Irons, who has held on to one of the most marginal seats in the country for the past eight years, is successful, he would likely join several West Australians on the Abbott front bench. This would include Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop, Stirling's Michael Keenan and WA Senator Mathias Cormann. Former WA attorney-general Christian Porter and Hasluck MP Ken Wyatt also could sneak into leadership roles. Mr Irons said there was "plenty of talent" on the Liberal back bench, but he had put a strong case forward for a number of portfolios. "There (are) a couple areas of interest that our top dogs know I'm interested in and if there's an opportunity I would love to take up that," he said. Because of my experience of four years as health and ageing deputy chair, that's an area of huge interest for me. I helped start, in conjunction with one of the Labor members, the Parliamentary Friends of Seniors in the national Parliament, and with such a high percentage of seniors in my electorate it's something that's of deep interest to me. Political analyst Harry Phillips said that if successful on September 7 there were a number of factors Mr Abbott would have to consider when picking his cabinet, including the state balance and gender ratio. Mr Porter was "the one to watch." He said Mr Abbott already was showing signs of waiving on his commitment to keep his cabinet as is, and he wouldn't be surprised if room was made for the man once dubbed the most likely to succeed Colin Barnett as WA premier. "What I think will be a decision that will have to be made sooner rather than later, is how long will Christian Porter just remain a backbencher?" he said. That's a very smart move (by Mr Abbott) to keep everybody on track and believing that they are in for a real rise (but) I suspect there might be a couple of early disappointments and then a more significant cabinet reshuffle after the first phase. Canning MP Don Randall is another likely contender for a cabinet position. Ms Bishop holds the shadow portfolios of foreign affairs and trade. Insiders have said it is a done deal that Ms Bishop would become foreign affairs minister in a Coalition government. Meanwhile, Mr Keenan stood a good chance of retaining his shadow portfolios of justice and customs and border protection. Senator Cormann was likely to retain his role as shadow assistant treasurer. Dr Phillips predicted that room could also be made for "dynamo" Senator Michaelia Cash and Liberal defence spokesman David Johnston. Dr Phillips said how well candidates fared on polling day would have a significant impact on future appointments.