although the country party cooperated with the liberals in bringing down scaddan's labour government, they declined to form a coalition ministry, and they were inconsistent in their support of wilson's government. at one point in february 1917, a dispute between the parties prompted wilson to tender his resignation, but this was refused by the governor. during this period the liberal party was transformed into the nationalist party, mirroring changes at the federal level. after an initial minority liberal/nationalist ministry under frank wilson, on 28 june 1917 the lefroy ministry was formed, the first coalition ministry in western australia. it combined the nationalist party, the country party and the national labor party (who, unlike their federal counterparts, were not subsumed into the nationalists until 1924). the country party held three posts, and the coalition would last under a succession of leaders until defeat at the 1924 election.