David Elliott, Matt Kean to run for Deputy Liberal leader position
Two high-profile MPs are tipped to run as the Liberal party’s new deputy leader at a party room meeting and vote to be held next Tuesday.
NSW
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A fractured Liberal Party will vote on Tuesday for a new Deputy Leader, with two candidates emerging as likely contenders to replace Stuart Ayres.
David Elliott, who will take over as Western Sydney Minister following Mr Ayres’ resignation, is set to take on Treasurer Matt Kean for the Deputy role, in a move which could deepen internal tensions between the party’s warring factions.
Multiple MPs identified Treasurer and left faction leader Matt Kean as a frontrunner for the Deputy role, but Mr Elliott is also set to run to prevent a “coronation”.
Mr Elliott has told colleagues that he believes the leadership needs to be contested.
His pitch to colleagues is expected to be based around the need for a strong Western Sydney voice in Liberal party leadership.
Speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham on Thursday morning, Mr Elliot said he was “reluctant” to put in his bid for the position.
“Politics is a blood sport. It’s a difficult game. You don’t always get your own way,” he said.
“My job is to really say to the party room that ‘I’m available if you think my skill set is going to work’.
“It’s really up to the party and what their priorities are.”
It is understood Liberal MPs have raised with Mr Elliott their concerns about Mr Kean’s ability to attract votes in marginal seats.
They have also raised with Mr Elliott concerns about Mr Kean’s involvement in the federal election, where he called for Warringah MP Katherine Deves to be disendorsed.
Mr Elliott has previously accused Mr Kean of “treachery” against the party leadership.
Mr Kean did not return calls on Wednesday.
A number of MPs believed Mr Kean would be the “logical” choice to take over as deputy.
But others said that there would be “value” in electing a Western Sydney MP as deputy.
Internal divisions in the dominant left faction could split support for Mr Kean if the Deputy Leadership goes to a vote.
While there is a view among some MPs that the deputy leader should be a woman, those MPs did not identify any female candidate as a clear frontrunner.
MPs have speculated that Upper House Minister Natalie Ward could mount a tilt, but little-known party rules mean she will not be allowed to contest the position.
The Telegraph has confirmed that only lower house MPs are eligible to run for, and vote in the deputy leadership ballot.
The Daily Telegraph understands that Infrastructure and Cities Minister Rob Stokes will not run for deputy.
It comes after Mr Perrottet announced Stuart Ayres had resigned from the Deputy Liberal leader position and his ministerial portfolios on Wednesday morning.
The new deputy Liberal leader will be elected at a party room meeting on Tuesday.
Mr Elliott will add Western Sydney to his existing portfolios of Transport and Veterans.
Skills Minister Allister Henskens will take on the portfolios of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and Sport.
Nationals MP and Arts Minister Ben Franklin will add Tourism to his portfolio responsibilities.
Mr Perrottet said the ministers will take responsibility for the additional portfolios from August 5.
“These ministers have a proven track record of serving the people of NSW and I have full confidence that they have the experience to take on these additional responsibilities,” Mr Perrottet said.
The Daily Telegraph revealed that Mr Elliott told colleagues he believes the leadership needs to be contested.
Mr Elliott’s campaign to win his colleagues’ support is expected to be based around the need to have a strong voice for Western Sydney in the Liberal party leadership.
When former premier Gladys Berejiklian resigned last year, Mr Kean gave up the position of Deputy Liberal leader in a deal designed to ensure the party rallied behind the leadership team of Dominic Perrottet and Stuart Ayres.
Liberal MPs believe following Mr Ayres’ resignation, Mr Kean could seek to take over as deputy.
It is understood Liberal MPs have raised with Mr Elliott their concerns about Mr Kean’s ability to attract votes in marginal seats.
They have also raised with Mr Elliott concerns about Mr Kean’s involvement in the federalelection, where he called for Warringah MP Katherine Deves to be disendorsed.
Mr Elliott has previously accused Mr Kean of “treachery” against the party leadership.
Mr Kean has not yet indicated whether he will put his name forward for the Deputy.
He was contacted for comment.
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