Julia Banks tipped to be replaced by former Chinese affairs adviser

LIBERAL MP Julia Banks, who announced she would quit her marginal seat and politics at the next election, has fired another shot at the Liberal Party by removing its logos from her website.

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LIBERAL MP Julia Banks, who announced she would quit her marginal seat and politics at the next election, has fired another shot at the Liberal Party by removing its logos from her website.

The Victorian MP, who took aim at “factional party figures” for their “vindictive, mean-spirited grudges” no longer includes the world “Liberal” in her “About me” section of her website.

The Member for Chisholm also appears to have removed official party logos from her Facebook, Twitter and website.

Ms Banks enjoys a moment in Parliament with former Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop.

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The move has prompted speculation among Liberal MPs that Ms Banks could run as an independent in the marginal seat of Chisholm — the only seat the Liberals won off Labor at the last election.

“Our expectation is to hold that seat. Provided Julia gets out of the way we should win,” one Liberal strategist said.

Julia Banks could run as an independent, Liberals speculate.

Ms Banks gave then Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull a guided walk through Box Hill Central Shopping centre in February. Picture David Geraghty / The Australian.

Liberal preselection nominations for the seat in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs close tomorrow, with previously failed Liberal candidate Gladys Liu firming as a frontrunner to replace Ms Banks.

Chinese-born Ms Liu is bel­ieved to have the support of several government MPs.