Liberal Party expels Christian Ellis and suspends 4 members in Sussan Ley’s seat of Farrer

A Liberal powerbroker who has been involved in moves to unseat deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley has been sensationally expelled for bringing the party into disrepute.

Deputy Leader of the federal Liberal Party Sussan Ley. Picture: Brendan Read

A Liberal powerbroker who has been involved in moves to unseat deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley has been sensationally expelled for bringing the party into disrepute.

Four local branch members have also been suspended.

The NSW Liberal state executive resolved at its Friday night meeting to endorse the decision by senior party officials after ongoing unrest in branches in the federal seat of Farrer, held by Ms Ley.

However, supporters of Christian Ellis have warned the decision will set off a chain reaction that will ultimately send the NSW division into further disarray.

The move to expel Mr Ellis followed Farrer FEC president Noel Wilson writing to the party about moves by Mr Ellis and Deniliquin branch members to attempt to expel several members — one of whom was 83 years old — at a meeting scheduled to be held on Saturday.

(Inset) powerbroker Christian Ellis has been expelled from the Liberal Party. Mr Ellis was involved in moves to unseat deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley.

“The members who face expulsion, at a scheduled meeting of the Deniliquin Branch on the 26th August, have made a great contribution to their community and our Party,” Mr Wilson wrote.

“They are now facing the extraordinary and unjustified prospect of being kicked out of their local branch, with the next nearest branch being some two hours away.”

Mr Wilson urged party officials to “take urgent action” to stop the Saturday meeting, while noting that the Farrer FEC had voted to reject the proposed expulsions.

Rivals of Mr Ellis had this week circulated his guilty verdict in failing to keep a firearm safely.

The matter was heard in Deniliquin local court on August 16, with no conviction recorded.

The party made the expulsion ruling in light of the firearm offence, along with Mr Ellis’s refusal to respond to a summons to appear before a NSW parliamentary inquiry, along with claims he breached party meeting rules.

Earlier this year, Mr Ellis made headlines — along with his mother and former Hills Shire councillor Virginia Ellis and Jean-Claude Perrottet — for failing to respond to summonses to appear before a NSW parliamentary inquiry into alleged impropriety at Hills Shire Council.

Mr Ellis was at one stage reportedly seen spotted in the bush.

Several of Mr Ellis’ supporters claim the move to expel Mr Ellis was designed to protect Ms Ley, who they claim was on track to lose her preselection.

“They have weaponised the party rules,” one source said.

“She was on track to lose her preselection and so they opted for plan B, and in doing so weaponised party rules which will set off a chain reaction.”

A supporter of Ms Ley rejected claims her preselection was at risk.

“Sussan is on track to win her preselection 75/25,” the source said.

“But if you try to expel elderly women, you can expect to get expelled. This is a good day for the Liberal Party.”

is understood Mr Ellis has sought legal advice on taking action against senior party officials, including for alleged inaction to complaints from members of the party.

Comment has been sought from Mr Ellis.

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