Conflict between NSW Liberals Moderate and Centre Right factions heats up

RUCTIONS among the dominant Moderate faction of the NSW Liberals are threatening to spill out into open conflict, with wide-reaching implications for a number of Turnbull and Berejiklian government MPs who rely on the powerful faction for support.

The departure of Liberal powerbroker Michael Photios is causing ructions in the NSW Liberal Party. Picture Kym Smith

RUCTIONS among the dominant Moderate faction of the NSW Liberals are threatening to spill out into open conflict, with wide-reaching implications for a number of Turnbull and Berejiklian government MPs who rely on the powerful faction for support.

The loss of key positions on the NSW Liberals’ executive committee, and tensions between the Moderates and their allies the Centre Right faction, are said to be causing disquiet for senior figures such as state president Kent Johns, with some considering leadership changes after the departure of powerbroker Michael Photios.

State Liberal president Kent Johns.

Mr Johns downplayed any suggestions of a rift in the faction, saying the speculation was “complete garbage”.

However, others conceded the relationship with the Centre Right had “cooled”.

The Moderates include federal Defence Minister Marise Payne and numerous state ministers, including Fair Trading Minister Matt Kean.

Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne. Picture: Kym Smith

NSW Fair Trading minister Matt Kean.

One Moderate source said the faction “has been in a state of chaos since Photios left”.

That has resulted in the loss of one executive position to the Right, with the support of the Centre Right, when Mary Lou Jarvis was elected to a key Women’s Council position instead of Katherine O’Reagan, who the Moderates supported.

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Mary Lou Jarvis was elected to a key Women’s Council position.

Liberal MP Trent Zimmerman. Picture: Damian Shaw

There is also concern the current leadership, which includes North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman, has not been active enough in opposing reforms backed by the Right faction that would mean one-member, one-vote rules in preselections.

“If Kean and Zimmerman can’t deliver on preselections, party reform and state executive elections, they should stand down,” a senior Moderate source said.