Liberal’s Wentworth frontrunner Andrew Bragg withdraws from contest
THE Liberal Party investigated and dismissed a complaint made against Andrew Bragg before he pulled out of the race to replace Malcolm Turnbull in the eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth.
NSW
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THE Liberal Party investigated and dismissed a complaint made against Andrew Bragg before he pulled out of the race to replace Malcolm Turnbull in the eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth.
Bragg said on Monday he was withdrawing from the contest to make way for a woman to replace the former prime minister.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Liberal Party investigated a complaint made against Mr Bragg before he pulled out of the race but concluded there was no evidence to support it.
Mr Bragg quit the Business Council of Australia, where he was executive director of membership, to run for the blue-ribbon seat.
But his decision to withdraw from the contest comes after pressure at senior levels of the Morrison Government to preselect a female candidate in the wake of complaints the party is not supportive of women.
In return for stepping aside, Mr Bragg will be given a winnable spot on the NSW Senate ticket.
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The former interim federal director of the Liberal Party was made aware of research suggesting a female would have a better chance of winning Wentworth than a man — and the seat is crucial for Scott Morrison to maintain his one seat majority.
Liberals are concerned at the likely prospect that high-profile, Jewish medico, Professor Kerryn Phelps will stand in Wentworth as an independent, securing preferences from Labor and the Greens.
Three women are hoping to win Liberal candidacy in Wentworth — Woollahra councillor Mary-Lou Jarvis, Sydney East Business Chamber chair Katherine O’Regan and rheumatologist Maxine Szramka.
“I’m withdrawing so a woman can be preselected to replace Malcolm Turnbull and I’ll be focusing my future efforts on the senate,” Mr Bragg said.
The Daily Telegraph understands the Liberal Party investigated allegations made against Mr Bragg during the nomination process but concluded there was no evidence to support them.
He successfully passed the Nomination Review Committee candidate selection process on Friday.
Mr Bragg said the smears and rumours circulated by his opponents were completely false.
“There has never been a complaint made against me,” he told The Daily Telegraph.
In a statement, he said Victorian MP Julia Banks’ claims of bullying and intimidation in the lead up to Mr Turnbull’s ousting had “genuinely shocked” him.
“I believe the Liberal Party should preselect a woman and my withdrawal can pave the way,” he wrote.
“I believe these recent events and comments have changed the mood and accordingly I will withdraw my nomination.|
“I am also a father and a husband who wants to see professional women make it into the highest offices in the land as representatives of the Liberal Party.”