Libs’ man with plan was in the Right
A MYSTERY man who splashed enough cash to register dozens of people for a crucial Liberal Party convention has been unmasked as a conservative operative who once suggested Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull “return to the Labor Party”.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A MYSTERY man who splashed enough cash to register dozens of people for a crucial Liberal Party convention has been unmasked as a conservative operative who once suggested Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull “return to the Labor Party”.
The NSW Liberals’ constitutional reform convention in July endorsed a range of reforms pushed by former prime minister Tony Abbott and other influential conservatives.
The Daily Telegraph has learnt from several senior sources that former staffer James Flynn, who worked for state Planning Minister Anthony Roberts, paid about $13,000 to register up to 90 people. The convention endorsed full plebiscites for preselections and party positions, though the Moderate-dominated party leadership is backing away from the reforms.
NSW Liberal president Kent Johns told a meeting of the party’s powerful executive committee on August 25 that Mr Flynn, associated with the party’s Right faction, had paid for those registrations.
While it is likely Mr Flynn’s registrations helped bolster votes for Mr Abbott’s reforms, known as the Warringah Motion, such actions are within party rules.
A report handed to executive members at that meeting confirmed that one person had registered up to 90 people for the Rosehill Racecourse event.
It is also understood Mr Johns, who could not be reached for comment, did not commit Mr Flynn’s name to the report. Another source within the NSW Liberal headquarters confirmed the name.
Mr Flynn told The Daily Telegraph he was “not allowed to comment on party issues”.
He resigned from the office of Mr Roberts, then energy minister, after criticising Mr Turnbull for his income tax plans.
“If the best idea you have is a new income tax, please return to the Labor Party. We can no longer be friends,” Mr Flynn wrote on Facebook.