Liberal Party in showdown with candidates over Castle Hill preselection

The Liberals have rejected the frontrunner candidate for Castle Hill and sensationally cancelled the preselection. The party and another candidate have sought legal action over the farce.

The NSW Liberal Party has sensationally cancelled a highly-anticipated preselection in the blue-ribbon seat of Castle Hill after the candidate vetting process turned into a shambles.

The move comes after frontrunner Noel McCoy was rejected late on Friday as a candidate — a decision the law firm partner has already appealed.

Mr McCoy had been tipped to win preselection until he faced the party vetting committee with reports circulating that it had not gone well.

The so-called Nomination Review Committee is understood to have posed questions of the law firm partner that went beyond probity and character, with panel members allegedly asking Mr McCoy about some of his policy views.

Mr McCoy has outspoken pro-life views, and has discussed opposition to the daily lockdowns on his North West Forum website.

It is believed Liberal candidates for Castle Hills Rajiv Chaudhri and …

… Noel McCoy have consulted lawyers about the preselection vetting process.

It is understood one of the four panel members asked how he might react in different situations should there be a minority government.

A Liberal source said Mr McCoy made a complaint about the process. The party office obtained legal advice, which declared a second interview could not go ahead.

Retiring Transport Minister David Elliott is said to be open to nominating for Castle Hill now. Picture: Richard Dobson

In an email to supporters, Mr McCoy described the decision as a “miscarriage” by the party “and will undermine efforts to achieve the very important re-election of the Perrottet Liberal government”.

“I have already appealed the decision to the party’s state executive,” he wrote.

“While I hope for a successful outcome, I fear that the Liberal Party has been damaged by this miscarriage.”

Fellow prospective candidate Rajiv Chaudhri has obtained his own legal advice following allegations by the vetting committee that he had broken party rules – a claim he denies.

The cancellation of the preselection also impacts the nomination of former police officer and Hills Shire Council Deputy Mayor Mark Hodges, who was in the race.

Mr McCoy, whose right-wing factional support triggered centre-right Transport Minister David Elliott to retire instead of contesting, is close to Premier Dominic Perrottet who has been keeping his distance from the debacle.

Mr Elliott is understood to be open to pausing his retirement should the party re-open nominations.

A NSW Liberal Party spokesman declined to comment on the matter.

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