Transport Minister David Elliott may be ruled out of Liberal preselection due to ‘error’

Rival factional members have seized on an “administrative error” the caused Transport Minister David Elliott’s party membership to lapse, putting his future in doubt.

The political future of Transport Minister David Elliott is unclear after an “administrative error” resulted in a lapse in party membership, putting his ability to nominate for a seat in doubt.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the error was seized upon by rival factional members who on Friday night voted at the NSW Liberal Party State Executive meeting not to give the veteran Liberal MP an exemption to be able to nominate.

Under Liberal Party rules, members must have joined the party for at least two years to be able to run for preselection.

Mr Elliott has been a party member for 36 years, and MP for Baulkham Hills since 2011.

Party sources said Seniors Minister Mark Coure – who represents Premier Dominic Perrottet on the committee – abstained from voting, a move that resulted in the failure of the motion to exempt Mr Elliott.

A short lapse in NSW Transport Minister David Elliott’s Liberal Party membership could make him ineligible for preselection. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

Another senior Liberal source claimed while Mr Perrottet wants Mr Elliott to nominate, other right-wing members want him to challenge his centre right faction colleague in the seat of Kellyville instead of vying for preselection in Castle Hill.

Ray Williams presently represents Castle Hill, but is understood to be nominating for the new seat of Kellyville.

The right wing of the Liberal Party and the centre right – led by federal MP Alex Hawke – have long been at war in the Hills district.

While Mr Perrottet is publicly supporting Mr Elliott, many in his faction are determined to see Mr Elliott go.

The period of time the membership lapsed is understood to be around three weeks. The nature of the administrative error is not being disclosed.

Should Mr Elliott not nominate for Castle Hill, a field of high-profile names are being floated as possible candidates.

Among the potentials are Mr Perrottet’s deputy chief-of-staff Monica Tudehope, a Hills local and law graduate who is the daughter of Finance Minister Damien Tudehope.

Ray Williams is the current Castle Hill MP, but is understood to be nominating for the new seat of Kellyville, leaving the field wide open. Picture: Damian Shaw

Noel McCoy, who is a former adviser to ex-attorney-general Greg Smith, is also believed to be interested in running in the seat, as is Julian Whealing, former Chief of Staff to Mr Tudehope.

Mark Hodges, who is the deputy mayor of The Hills Council, has also been named as a possible candidate.

A former police officer, Mr Hodges is now a solicitor and holds a Master of Criminology and Master of Laws. Hills district resident Andrea Calihana, who recently ran as a candidate for Hornsby Shire Council, has also been named.

Mr Elliott could not be reached for comment. Nominations for Castle Hill are expected to close on Wednesday.

A senior Liberal source said last night the decision not to grant Mr Elliott an exemption had been deterred until the next state executive meeting.