NSW minister David Elliott rules out contesting federal seat of Parramatta

A day after it was revealed he was open to contesting the seat of Parramatta, NSW Transport Minister David Elliott has ruled out a tilt at federal politics.

NSW Minister David Elliott has ruled himself out of making a tilt at federal politics, just a day after he was open to being selected to contest the seat of Parramatta.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Mr Elliott won’t be putting his hand up for the seat, despite speculation that he could be installed by a three-person committee established by the party’s federal executive.

It is understood that Mr Elliott has taken himself out of the running for personal and family reasons.

His wife Nicole has previously fought a very public battle with breast cancer.

The gruelling commute to Canberra for parliament was among the considerations leading to Mr Elliott pulling the pin on short-lived speculation that he would run.

NSW Transport Minister David Elliott. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

“I won’t be nominating but I’ll be taking a very active position in the campaign,” Mr Elliott said.

Liberal Party figures had sounded out Mr Elliott for preselection in Parramatta, to run against Bellevue Hill economist Andrew Charlton - who is expected to be confirmed as Labor’s candidate this week.

The Liberal federal executive on Sunday resolved to have candidates in a raft of seats chosen by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Dominic Perrottet and former federal president Christine McDiven.

Other names being mentioned as potential Liberal candidates for Parramatta include businesswoman Maria Kovacic and former candidate Charles Camenzuli, who is said to have the support of local branch members.

Before he ruled himself out of consideration, multiple senior Liberals said that of the three people, Mr Elliott would give the best party of winning Parramatta - which Labor holds on a margin of 3.5 per cent.