The Fadden preselection puts a spotlight on the different factions of the LNP

The State LNP should be celebrating. They could win government. But the preselection in Fadden is a bigger brawl than Origin.

Polling shows the State Opposition under David Crisafulli ahead of Labor. Liberals should be celebrating. But the Fadden LNP preselection puts a big spotlight on how a branch can brawl.

This began after Stuart Robert last month announced he would quit the safe Gold Coast seat.

Coast LNP members have sent your columnist numerous emails and left phone messages. Some of it alleging foul tactics, some just personal attacks on the candidates.

Taking a stroll west from the Fadden Labrador office through the Coombabah swamp where the mangroves drop seeds – well, this would be much sweeter than some of this stuff.

The fight for Fadden. Three of the key players in the preselection battle since Stuart Robert retired. From left, Fran Ward, Sam O'Connor and Cameron Caldwell.

The front runners for Mr Robert’s job are Councillor Cameron Caldwell, long-time branch leader Fran Ward and celebrated emergency doctor Dinesh Palipana.

In this mix is Sam O’Connor, the State MP for Bonney, who supports Dr Palipana.

Whatever the outcome of the ballot on Saturday, Mr O’Connor and Mr Caldwell, either as a continuing councillor or a new Federal MP, will have to work together.

Ms Ward ran against Cr Caldwell in the 2016 council campaign. She remains a powerful party worker, and how they get along, if either she or he wins, will be interesting.

Party strategists say this all makes the LNP stronger. The candidates are “toughened up”.

Mr Crisafulli’s first job as leader was uniting the branches.

Ms Ward is the only female candidate. Members are reflecting on the role of women in the party.

An internal review into the Coalition’s 2022 federal election loss recommended a target of 50 per cent female representation in parliament within 10 years or three terms.

Mr Crisafulli is pushing on with a 50 per cent gender target.

The electorate office for Fadden on the Gold Coast. Signage which showed MP Stuart Robert has been removed, since his retirement.

A Fadden LNP member replied: “The attitude of members 50-plus towards Fran is they have great respect for her. But the attitudes towards women generally are up to s....”

Members say Mr Crisafulli has not given any indication who he would support in the Fadden ballot. Under party rules, MPs are not to make public comment.

“David is a moderate. He is also the best expert fence sitter I’ve seen in politics in 40 years,” a long term member said.

Dinesh Palipana and Cameron Caldwell have nominated as LNP candidates for the Federal seat of Fadden on the Gold Coast.

The state leader remains close to Mr O’Connor. Some members off-side with the Bonney MP about Fadden say he is part of a “millennial woke” group more aligned to Labor.

They say to the far right of Mr O’Connor’s Young LNP faction are the “older Christians”.

They describe some other members as “hard Right racists” – their words, not mine.

At a sold-out HOTA gig with Kerry O’Brien on Wednesday night, Mr Crisafulli talked about leading a “centre right government” and the enduring principles of the Liberal Party.

“We have conservative people in our ranks, we have moderate people, we have free marketeers, we have protectionists – they all find a home under the banner of aspiration and reward for effort,” he said.

Queensland Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli speaks during Question Time at Parliament House in Brisbane. Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire.

Mr O’Brien suggested the fierce ideological battles within Labor had subsided but were more apparent on the conservative side to the detriment of the LNP.

Mr Crisafulli gave his strongest rebuttal. “Not here. Even my harshest of critics would acknowledge that the unity and discipline of the Queensland LNP is at level it hasn’t been before,” he replied.

Mr O’Brien should have asked him about Fadden, but time was short. We all got to watch the brawl in State of Origin instead.

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Originally published as The Fadden preselection puts a spotlight on the different factions of the LNP