Liberals’ NSW key seats a losing battle between talented locals and star power

Scott Morrison’s gamble on trying to secure ‘star’ candidates for key seats in NSW appears to have backfired, with the A-listers saying no and talented locals pulling out.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s gamble on trying to secure “star” candidates for key seats in NSW appears to have backfired.

The A-listers have politely declined overtures from Mr Morrison and his right-hand man, Alex Hawke, while many talented local candidates — who could have launched a decent campaign if given time — have now pulled out of the running.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Erin Molan, who says the time is not right for her to enter politics. Picture: NCA NewsWire

The sourcing of talent from the state government has also caused friction among the NSW factional bosses, who face their own difficult election in 2023.

Meanwhile, local Liberals are demanding plebiscites over “parachute” candidates, arguing if a local candidate cannot win over the branches then how can they win over voters?

But the delays in opening preselections in key seats to secure celebrity candidates has left little time for those who are selected to fundraise and campaign.

These are the key NSW seats in question.

HUGHES: UAP/LIBERAL, 9.8%

When NSW MP Melanie Gibbons declared she was quitting state politics to run for the federal seat of Hughes, Mr Morrison gave her a rousing endorsement.

And as far as Ms Gibbons’ supporters go, the PM remains locked in behind her bid to become the Liberal candidate to take on former Liberal-turned-United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly.

State MP Melanie Gibbons is considering a tilt at federal parliament, in the seat of Hughes. Picture: AAP Image

As a result, Ms Gibbons is continuing in her bid to enter federal politics, despite pressure from some NSW Liberals for her to remain in Macquarie Street amid fears her state seat of Holsworthy might fall.

Ms Gibbons has not yet formally resigned from state parliament — something she is expected to do if she is preselected.

However, Ms Gibbons — who is a moderate — faces internal competition for Hughes, with her faction split in their support for her and rival candidate, solicitor Jenny Ware.

It is also understood the right is backing Wade McInerney, who is a former staffer of Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

GILMORE: LABOR, 2.8%

If the Liberals were hoping to avoid a repeat of the debacle that was the candidate selection process for Gilmore in the lead-up to the last election, they appear to have failed.

While the PM secured former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance as a candidate, that has not stopped local solicitor Paul Ell from running — or, bizarrely, former state executive member Jemma Tribe.

NSW government minister Andrew Constance is facing some competition in his bid to be preselected. Picture: Martin Rainer Helmreich

Some Liberals believe Mr Hawke put up Ms Tribe — who is a member of his centre right faction — to be able to bargain with the moderates; that is, offer to withdraw in exchange for the centre right being given a new seat elsewhere, which has not happened.

The nomination of Ms Tribe triggered a meltdown last month, with Mr Constance overheard in Parliament House yelling down the phone as to why he should bother running.

While no one doubts Constance’s ability to win the seat, Ell’s supporters believe there should be a plebiscite.

Another confirmed nominee is Stephen Hayes, from Sanctuary Point, a former staffer of Christopher Pyne’s.

PARRAMATTA: LABOR, 3.5%

NSW minister Geoff Lee has also been tapped on the shoulder by Canberra Liberals to quit state politics in exchange for becoming the Liberal candidate for the federal seat of Parramatta.

He has said no — apparently more than once.

Skills and Tertiary Education Minister Geoff Lee, pictured with deputy Liberal leader Stuart Ayres, is staying put in state parliament. Picture: NCA Newswire

Those who are now being wooed include former Parramatta councillor and state executive member Martin Zaiter.

Others may include local engineer Charles Camenzuli and former political staffer Felicity Finlay.

GREENWAY: LABOR, 2.8%

Police Minister David Elliott has been offered Greenway if he wants it, but at this stage, the Baulkham Hills MP is counting on continuing in his role in the police and emergency services portfolio.

It is understood no other candidates have been sorted.

EDEN-MONARO: LABOR, 0.8%

Another celebrity candidate that has been wooed is Channel 9 sports presenter and 2DAY-FM breakfast radio announcer Erin Molan.

The 38-year-old, who appeared at a press conference with Mr Morrison recently, confirmed she had political ambitions, but said that now was not the right time.

FARRER: LIBERAL, 19.8%

Local Liberals are pushing back against moves to endorse sitting MP Sussan Ley instead of conducting a plebiscite.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley is facing a preselection challenge. Picture: Richard Dobbins

As late as yesterday, moves were afoot for the NSW State Executive to confirm Ley as the candidate, instead of allowing her to face a contest against nominated candidate Christian Ellis.

Mr Ellis’s supporters believe their candidate has the numbers, triggering panic among those backing Ms Ley.

Mr Ellis is a public relations specialist who moved to the area a few years ago, and is campaigning on water rights.

MACQUARIE: LABOR, 0.2%

One key seat that has been sorted is the ultra-marginal Macquarie, with NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer Sarah Richards confirmed as the Liberal candidate on Friday.

The confirmation of the candidacy of the lawyer and mother-of-three followed long-held speculation she would vie for the seat despite also having put her hand up for Hawkesbury Council.

Sarah Richards, pictured with her son Max and daughters Jasmine and Lucy, will stand as the Liberal candidate in the ultra-marginal seat of Macquarie.

Ms Richards, 39, who contested the seat at the last election, said she was inspired to run a second time after her experience with the Black Summer bushfires that tore through the Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains.

“It really would be an honour for me to be elected to represent these incredible people,” she said.

Ms Richards, who grew up in a military family on the RAAF base at Richmond, set up the #BackToBilpin and Meet Me@The Blue Mountains tourism campaigns to support local businesses.

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, she started #ShopSmall, a free online site, and also the Mattress for a Mate program to help to deliver 750 mattresses to people who lost homes during floods and bushfires across NSW.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]