Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons seeks preselection for federal seat

Premier Dominic Perrottet said it was “disappointing” that NSW taxpayers had to pay for yet another byelection but has supported Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons’ Canberra aspirations.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has said byelections are a fact of politics following Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons’s announcement she is quitting Macquarie Street for a tilt for federal politics.

Mr Perrottet said it was”disappointing” that taxpayers had to pay for byelections but supported Ms Gibbon’s Canberra aspirations.

“Ultimately, people make their own decisions. I know she’s been a very strong advocate for South Western Sydney,” he said.

“She will continue to be a strong fighter for that community and they are very well served by having strong representatives and that’s both sides of politics, wherever you are.

“There are always byelections, Labor, Liberal, Nationals, Greens, it’s just a fact and part of life and the political process.”

Meanwhile, the long-serving NSW MP’s bid to move into federal politics has been backed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Ms Gibbons announced on Wednesday she would resign from her Holsworthy Legislative Assembly state seat in the hopes of running for the Liberal Party in the federal seat of Hughes.

Hughes is currently held by Craig Kelly, who quit the Liberal Party earlier this year and later joined billionaire Clive Palmer’s United Australia Party (UAP).

Member for Holsworthy Melanie Gibbons will quit state parliament to chase a federal seat. Picture: AAP

Mr Kelly, who has been appointed UAP leader, has confirmed he will recontest his Hughes seat at the next federal election.

Mr Morrison, whose own electorate of Cook neighbours Hughes, welcomed Ms Gibbons’ intention to represent the seat for the Liberal Party.

“I have known Melanie Gibbons for many years and welcome her decision to put herself forward for selection as the Liberal Party’s candidate for Hughes at the next federal election,” he said.

Mr Morrison said Ms Gibbons was a “passionate” local state Liberal member who had served her community for nearly two decades.

“Her experience and perspective would be a welcome addition to my federal team and working together in neighbouring electorates in Southern Sydney,” he said.

In a statement, Ms Gibbons said she had informed Premier Dominic Perrottet that she would be running to be the Liberal candidate in the electorate currently held by Craig Kelly.

“Given the recent speculation in the media and the community about the likelihood of me running, now is the right time for me to make this announcement,” Ms Gibbons said in her statement.

“I will continue to serve in my role as the State Member for Holsworthy until I am required to resign for the federal election, whenever that is called,” the statement reads.

The move means the Perrottet government could face a fourth by-election if Ms Gibbons is successful in gaining preselection.

Ms Gibbons however plans to stay on in state parliament if she fails to secure preselection for the federal seat of Hughes, thereby avoiding a by-election.

A senior Liberal source on Wednesday was sceptical that Ms Gibbons had the numbers to win a contested ballot.

Liberal sources believed Ms Gibbons would not have to quit state parliament if she was unsuccessful in seeking preselection, but acknowledged it would be politically difficult for her to remain as the Holsworthy MP while trying to secure a new job in federal politics.

Premier Dominic Perrottet will be left with the fallout of four by-elections. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

After Gladys Berejiklian announced she would quit as premier, The Daily Telegraph revealed that Liberal MPs were bracing for Ms Gibbons to announce she would seek preselection for Hughes. The Holsworthy MP played down the suggestion at the time.

“That’s not on my radar, I do not want to cause a by-election,” Ms Gibbons said last week.

Ms Gibbons holds Holsworthy with a margin of just 3.3 per cent. However an electoral redistribution has notionally doubled that margin to six per cent.

The Coalition was already facing three by-elections, in Willoughby (being vacated by Ms Berejiklian), Monaro (with the resignation of John Barilaro), and Bega (held by the departing Andrew Constance).