‘Breakthrough’ in vetting process amid NSW Liberal preselection stalemate

Senior Liberals are claiming a “breakthrough” in negotiations with the NSW executive, with last-minute crisis talks hoped to break the preselection impasse.

The warring factions of the NSW Liberal Party have agreed to meet on Saturday to try to break the impasse that has left critical seats without candidates in the field just weeks before voters head to the polls.

A text invitation was being circulated on Friday to participate in the talks in a bid to resolve the impasse which has stopped the selection of candidates in up to eight winnable seats.

In what was being interpreted as a positive sign, Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s right-hand-man – Immigration Minister Alex Hawke – made himself available on Friday to vet candidate hopefuls in three seats.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Alex Hawke has been accused of stalling his party’s preselection process. Picture: Toby Zerna

Under party rules, candidates must be vetted before they can participate in the selection process.

However, only the four-member nomination review committee comprising Mr Hawke, NSW Liberal Party state director Chris Stone and party president Philip Ruddock can undertake the vetting.

The fourth member of the committee is the president of the local Liberal conference associated with the individual seat.

Party members have been accusing Mr Hawke of failing to participate in the vetting process as part of a stalling tactic in order to secure his factions candidates in key seats.

Former federal minister Philip Ruddock is the president of the Liberal’s NSW division. Picture: Toby Zerna

Senior party figures were tonight describing Mr Hawke’s participating in the vetting process as “a breakthrough” and “significant progress” despite two of the seats being safe Labor, or so-called “red deads”.

The vetting process took place on Friday for candidates seeking selection in Bennelong, Whitlam and Werriwa.

At the same time, a text message was being sent to key factional figures to participate in Zoom talks on Saturday to resolve the impasse on selecting candidates in eight critical seats, including Hughes, Warringah, Eden-Monaro, Dobell and Parramatta.

Under Liberal party rules, 90 per cent support from the 27-strong state executive is required to progress the candidate selection process.

The talks will also aim to resolve the impasse over endorsement of the current ministers Sussan Ley in Farrer, Trent Zimmerman in North Sydney and Mr Hawke in Mitchell.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley is awaiting endorsement in Farrer. Picture: Richard Dobbins

Trent Zimmerman is awaiting endorsement in North Sydney. Picture: Gary Ramage

Should the factions fail to come to a resolution, the party will use its card of last resort – federal intervention – to resolve the issue.

However, a senior moderate source said the option was the least palatable given the “complicated” process involving the federal executive could prolong candidate selection by several more weeks.

“We need candidates in the field now, especially in Eden-Monaro, Dobell and Parramatta which are key seats we need to pick up,” the source said.

Another Liberal source accused Mr Hawke of having “run down the clock” in a bid to try to benefit his own faction only to leave the NSW party in a parlous state that now treated the Morrison government.

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