Liberals’ most senior woman claims candidate hopeful sent bullying email
The most senior woman in the NSW Liberal Party claims she was sent an email by a candidate hopeful that “could be” viewed as an attempt to “bully” her in a bid to force a ballot. Don’t miss The Sauce.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The most senior woman in the NSW Liberal Party claims she was sent an email by a candidate hopeful that “could be” viewed as an attempt to “manipulate, intimidate and bully” her in a bid to force a ballot.
The explosive comment by NSW Liberal Party president Maria Kovacic at a meeting of the state executive on Friday was made as a motion was put up to conduct a fax ballot on Monday to endorse lawyer Rory Amon as the candidate for Pittwater.
As revealed by The Sauce last week, Mr Amon sent Ms Kovacic and members of the executive a terse email about her failure to conduct a long-promised ballot, while also noting how she had declared she was being pressured by the parliamentary party to hold off given the party was seeking to impose a female candidate.
Mr Amon has been in the sights of moderates who are concerned he is not the best candidate to run against a “teal”, given the loss of the once blue-ribbon federal seat of Mackellar to “teal” Dr Sophie Scamps at the May election.
Upper House MLC Natasha Maclaren-Jones had initially put her name forward to run, only to pull out, while an administrative issue ruled out lawyer Claire Longley as a prospective candidate.
Despite Mr Amon being a candidate for the northern beaches seat since October 6, he has failed to be endorsed.
The comment by Ms Kovacic was made after state executive member Alex Dore declared he would not be leaving the room until a motion to conduct a fax ballot was passed to end the ongoing dispute.
A source close to Mr Amon claimed Ms Kovacic has long promised local party members that a ballot would occur – only for it to never occur. The source claimed moderate members were so desperate to install a female candidate that they had asked Mr Amon on Monday if he would swap places with Upper House MLC Natalie Ward so she could represent the seat – a request he refused.
Several members at the meeting verified Ms Kovacic making the statement about Mr Amon’s email.
However, the source close to Mr Amon noted how Ms Kovacic had not stated how she claims Mr Amon had manipulated, intimidated or bullied her, and that Mr Amon rejected that he had.
“This is just an attempt to muddy the waters to give them a reason not to run the ballot,” the source said.
Another Liberal source – not at the meeting – claimed Ms Kovacic viewed the email as inappropriate.
“At a time when the party is having an issue with women, it is especially poor form for the party’s most senior woman to be treated like this,” the source said.
Mr Amon did not return calls.
LABOR RECRUITS RAIDERS LEGEND FOR CRUCIAL SEAT
Former Canberra Raiders and Queanbeyan Blues great Terry Campese is set to become the star Labor candidate for the Nationals seat of Monaro.
The former Raiders captain and NSW State of Origin representative has put his hand up to be preselected in the region he was born and raised in to continue his work in the community at a political level.
Should Mr Campese be endorsed as is expected, he will be up against Nationals MP Nicole Overall who earlier this year became the first woman to hold the seat in more than century.
Having captained the Canberra Raiders between 2010 and 2014 as well as representing Australia on the international stage, Mr Campese has also been an active community member, serving as captain-coach of Queanbeyan Blues since 2017 while also commentating on the local radio during Raiders games.
While known for his football career, Mr Campese has been an active community member, starting up the Terry Campese Foundation in 2021 – a not for profit focused on building brighter futures for young people.
He was also previously an Ambassador for Canteen Cancer, the Ronald McDonald House and a Patron of Raising Hope Education Foundation.
During the bushfires which devastated the Monaro electorate, Mr Campese served as a community recovery officer while also actively fundraising to bring the Queanbeyan sleep-bus to the area.
While he continues to work with the NRL on their roads to regions projects, Mr Campese also
works closely with residents as the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council community program co-ordinator.
Mr Campese said it was time for Monaro to have a “fresh start”.
“I’m born and bred in Queanbeyan and the Monaro region,” he said.
“While I am proud to have represented our region, the state and Australia as a professional football player, the most important work I’ve done is as a community worker and with the Terry Campese Foundation.
“I am driven by working in and for the community and I want to take that commitment to the next level. I’m prepared to work with anyone and everyone to make Monaro a better region.
“It’s time for a fresh start in Monaro and I’m determined to ensure a Minns Labor Government delivers better schools and hospitals for our community.”
Monaro was held by former Nationals leader John Barilaro before his resignation triggered a by-election in February.
Labor leader Chris Minns described Mr Campese as “an outstanding individual” who led by example.
“While we all will miss Terry running around as captain-coach for the Queanbeyan Blues, his most important and valued work has always been his community and charitable works,” he said.
“Terry knows what the people of Monaro and Queanbeyan need in terms of service delivery and support, because he listens and delivers for them as a community worker each and every day.
“I am delighted that Terry has put his hand to take his community service to the next level, in public office.
NATS PUT UP WOMEN
TRANSPORT Minister David Elliott has let fly at the lack of women being preselected in Liberal seats, stating how the blokes they were up against failed to inspire him to get out of bed of a morning.
The comment on social media on Saturday followed the defeat of former teacher and local councillor Reena Jethi at a pre-selection held in the seat of Riverstone.
Jethi was beaten 98 to 68 by rival Mohit Kumar, prompting Elliott to comment on how “high calibre Ladies” were being “thrown under the bus by my party” in South Coast, Pittwater, Davidson, Camden “and now Riverstone”.
“Each time against blokes who would struggle to inspire me to get out of bed in the morning,” he said.
The party has preselected women candidates in the seats of Murray (where Edward River Council mayor Peta Betts will run), Port Macquarie (Peta Pinson), Wagga (Andrianna Benjamin), Barwon (Annette Turner) and Myall Lakes (Tanya Thompson).
PARTY KEEPS IT POSITIVE
’TIS the season to be jolly – and that was very much the mood when Sydney’s VIP gathered in the Martin Place office of former prime minister John Howard for his annual Christmas drinks last week.
Among the 60 or so guests in attendance were former PM Tony Abbott, Premier Dominic Perrottet, Margaret Cunneen SC, NSW Liberal Party state director Chris Stone and Transport Minister David Elliott.
Despite being first Christmas drinks in a decade that the Coalition has not been in government for, an attendee said the mood was upbeat.
“There was a big focus on the next state election,” one guest said.
Needless to say, ScoMo was a no-show.
Got some sauce? email linda.silmalis@news.com.au
Claims Plibersek ‘contradicted’ herself on crippled mine
Despite the Minister claiming a proposed NSW mine hit with a partial ban could forge ahead, a quietly released statement saw her acknowledge the project would be unviable.
Leading company pulls out of Illawarra Wind Zone
A world-leading offshore wind company has decided it won’t bid on the controversial project, with Chris Bowen’s office refusing to confirm if other companies are still in the race.