Conservatives woo Abbott to run for Parramatta
The hunt for candidates to contest the next federal election is underway, with both parties having high-profile contenders in their sights.
NSW
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Former prime minister Tony Abbott is being wooed by the conservatives to run for the federal seat of Parramatta.
With speculation that long-serving Labor MP Julie Owens may not go around again, both the Liberals and Labor have been scouting around for a high-profile candidate to claim the prized western Sydney seat.
The Sauce correspondent Linda Silmalis can reveal Mr Abbott, whose political career ended at the last federal election after losing the seat of Warringah to independent Zali Steggall, was recently taken out to lunch by senior members of the right faction where he was asked if he would consider a tilt.
One Liberal source said Mr Abbott, whose own former seat of Warringah is being offered to ex-NSW premier Mike Baird, declined. “He said something along the lines of not wanting to be a wrecker,” the source said.
However, another Liberal source claimed Mr Abbott may well consider such a move, but the invitation needed to come directly from Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The approach follows revelations Mr Abbott was also considered as a possible candidate for the role of NSW Rural Fire Services commissioner.
A Liberal minister confirmed Mr Abbott’s name had been “mentioned” for the role but that it had just as quickly been dismissed, with the organisation’s deputy, Rob Rogers, always the frontrunner.
Whether or not Mr Abbott himself has been interested in either gigs, not everyone is happy with the approaches. Supporters of the last federal candidate Charles Camenzuli say any discussions about the future Lib candidate for Parramatta should involve locals.
“We are huge supporters of Tony Abbott and the opportunity is there for Tony to talk to us direct,” one senior party official said. “The issue locals have is that a candidate is being orchestrated by others from outside this area.”
It’s not just the Libs hunting for a high-profile candidate — top of the wishlist for Labor is former state government minister David Borger.
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SEAT SWAPPING
HE was the Labor candidate for Reid at the last federal election but is Sam Crosby now eyeing off a new seat? And if this is the case, what does this mean for two other high-profile Labor MPs?
These are the questions raised since Crosby and his wife Rose Jackson, who is an Upper House MLC, purchased new digs in the neighbouring seat of Barton two weeks ago. The couple dropped $1.53 million on a federation-style house in the St George suburb of Rockdale, which sits in the electorate held by Linda Burney.
While it’s not against the rules for candidates to live outside the electorate, it does make one an easy target. One Labor source suggested something deeper was at play — that is, that Burney may not be going around again, leaving the seat open for Crosby. What is intriguing about this is that should Burney be retiring, another high-profile Labor figure may also be affected.
You see, Burney, who is from the left, has been allowed to represent Barton by the right as part of a factional seat swap. In return for the right giving up its seat for Burney, the left handed over its seat of Hunter, which is represented by Joel Fitzgibbon, who is the leader of the national right. With Fitzgibbon unlikely to go, the factions will have to organise another seat deal.
Hazzard Undercover
Spies at the Geelong v Brisbane game at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 9 were surprised to see none other than NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard watching on in the stands.
Was one of the hardest-working state ministers here undercover to ensure social distancing regulations were being followed?
When asked, Hazzard, who is often seen at the cricket, revealed he was attending the game because of his Queenslander wife, who happens to be a “mad Lions supporter”. As for social distancing, Hazzard said the AFL “passed with flying colours”.
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Originally published as Conservatives woo Abbott to run for Parramatta