NSW Liberal president Jason Falinski calls it quits, opening door to MacKellar rematch

The NSW Liberal Party president and former MP is “highly unlikely” to recontest preselection for the seat he held before the 2022 election.

NSW Liberal Party president and former Mackellar MP Jason Falinski will step down from his role leading the state’s division, setting the stage for a potential rematch between him and teal MP Sophie Scamps at the next federal election.

Mr Falinski, who chaired the house economics committee while in parliament, lost the once blue-ribbon seat on Sydney’s northern beaches at the 2022 election. Ms Scamps holds the seat with a 2.5 per cent margin.

The move offers Mr Falinski the opportunity to contest preselection as the Liberal candidate for the seat at the next federal election, due by May 2024 at the latest.

NSW Liberal Party president Jason Falinski will stand down as division president. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

However, it’s understood Mr Falinski is highly unlikely to recontest party preselection and will instead focus on a career in the private sector.

The former Liberal MP, who has served as the state’s president since July 2023, was a proponent of modernising preselection processes in the state’s division after internal factional disputes hamstrung the party’s electoral chances at the 2022 federal election and the 2023 NSW state election.

According to Sky News, former NSW transport and sports minister Stuart Ayres will throw his hat in the ring to replace Mr Falinski.

Mr Falinski has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as NSW Liberal president Jason Falinski calls it quits, opening door to MacKellar rematch