Furious Liberal Party members say Tim Smith may be expelled

Angry Victorian Liberals have accused Tim Smith of trying to take out his colleagues by criticising the party, saying he could be expelled for his “betrayal”.

Angry Victorian Liberals say Tim Smith could face a Bernie Finn-style execution from the party.

While no formal process has begun, some Liberals have started discussing Smith’s future after his return to public life last week.

They have been left incensed by an article and TV appearance that was largely critical of the party’s direction.

In particular they have accused him of “treachery” over comments that the party should move away from heartland seats including his own of Kew, which he will leave at the November election.

Under Liberal Party rules members can be expelled or suspended if found guilty of “disloyalty to the party”.

Members can be expelled from their branch or the partyroom and the process doesn’t need to be initiated by a sitting member of parliament.

Angry Victorian Liberals say Tim Smith could face a Bernie Finn-style execution from the party. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“People across the party are furious with Smith’s treachery,” one MP said.

“Having crashed his own political career he’s now trying to take out his colleagues on his way out.

“Smith is already unelectable but this will just make him unemployable too.

“The Liberals in the branches and corporate Australia who supported Smith and gave him his opportunities won’t forgive or forget this betrayal.”

Preliminary discussions about Smith’s future with the party were held on Sunday night, just hours after the former shadow Attorney-General appeared on Sky News’ Outsiders program.

While the party needs to win 18 seats to secure a majority at the state election, many Liberals believe it can be achieved.

But they say Smith risks being an insurmountable distraction from the party’s efforts.

“People are discussing it,” one senior source said.

“Not sure whether it has legs just yet. They say What he’s doing is sabotage and sooner or later, if it continues, the Party will have to act.

“The only reason it has not reached that stage seems to be that no one takes what he says seriously.”

Preliminary discussions about Smith’s future with the party were held on Sunday night. Picture: David Crosling

Some MPs warned that booting Smith from the party would make the party look chaotic heading into the election.

Mr Finn, an upper house MP, was expelled from the parliamentary wing of the party last week following a series of controversial social media postings.

Mr Smith, who announced he would quit politics after crashing his car while drunk in October, is understood to be hopeful of an upper house opportunity.

He has not ruled out a return to parliament, and says he still harbours hopes of a career in politics.

“I’d love to have a future in politics. I’d like to have a voice,” he told Sky News.

“I really want to get back into the fray. I feel like I’ve got something to add.”

Mr Smith, who did not respond to requests for comment, called on the Liberals to “Stop obsessing with the woke concerns and obsessions with the inner-urban elites”.

“Stop it. Forget about it, move further afield. Take the focus off Kew, and focus on Cranbourne,” he said.

Mr Smith was approached for comment.

Originally published as Furious Liberal Party members say Tim Smith may be expelled