Meet the 8 rumoured to be in the running to replace Tony Abbott as Warringah’s Liberal candidate
Zali Steggall is yet to be sworn in but Liberal sources say hopefuls are already starting to stake their claim as the candidate hoping to win back the seat of Warringah. Here’s the eight rumoured to be in the running.
Before Warringah’s new MP Zali Steggall is even sworn into parliament, the inner-sanctum of the Liberal Party has begun hatching a plan to reclaim the former jewel in its crown.
As the Warringah Federal Electoral Conference prepares to have its first meeting since Tony Abbott was defeated by independent Ms Steggall to dissect what went wrong, senior Liberals have suggested contenders are already staking their claim.
The meeting — on June 21 — will see a motion put up by the Cremorne Point branch of the Liberal Party calling for a complete review of “what went right and what went wrong”. One senior Liberal Party source described it as likely to be an “ugly bloodletting” exercise.
While another said it was expected to be “highly emotional”. That source also said there was a “unifying element to this, that is a view to winning the seat back”.
“The level of energy that is building to win this back is white hot,” the source said.
Part of that, the source said, was discussion already happening about who should be the next Liberal candidate.
“I think those discussion have already started, there is a long way to go in that and the process to determine the next candidate will be a very, very thorough undertaking and that is something we are looking forward to putting forward some of considerable calibre,” the source said.
There are a number of names being discussed — whether they are a wishlist or reality — these are who Liberals are talking about:
Mike Baird
The former NSW Premier’s name has been consistently mentioned by Liberal sources as a possible replacement for Tony Abbott.
His name started surfacing well before the Party’s loss in the May 18 Federal Election.
A number of senior Liberals say they would like him to run, and he is the calibre of candidate they are hoping for. But some closer to Mr Baird believe it is a long shot.
Mr Baird is among the top brass of the National Australia Bank, and could be considered for the chief executive officer position, which is currently filled on the interim while the bank searches for a full-time boss.
Mr Baird was contacted and declined to comment.
But one source said he was “in the mix”.
“Several names have been mentioned, even Mike.”
But another source close to Mr Baird said it was less likely, claiming that he would not want to return to politics to sit on a backbench — or even opposition — federally.
Natalie Ward
“Her name has always been mentions,” said one Liberal source.
Natalie Ward is a Liberal Member of the Legislative Council in the State Government and was recently appointed as Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney-General, which may reduce her desire to stand for the Federal Government.
“She is a prominent Liberal MLC right in the centre of the electorate, she is parliamentary secretary to the Attorney-General. Her name has been mentioned, it is always mentioned,” the source said.
“Whether she is still interested given her current position is the unknown.”
She was appointed an MLC on November 16, 2007 and is a prominent local along with husband, and Liberal stalwart David Begg.
Rory Amon
Narrabeen councillor Rory Amon’s ambition is well known.
He’s the youngest representative on Northern Beaches Council and probably the most outspoken.
He sticks up for residents — even if it means upsetting the apple cart.
A commercial litigation lawyer by trade, he is very active in the community including as a volunteer firefighter and supporter of the St Vincent de Paul Night Patrol.
He is one of the new breed of politicians. He’s embraced social media and his feeds are littered with selfie videos explaining local issues and online petitions.
When asked if he was interested he told the Daily his commitment was to serving his constituents on Northern Beaches Council.
But don’t be surprised to see his name in the mix when it comes down to it.
Alex Dore
Manly resident Alex Dore’s name has been mentioned on more than one occasion to the Daily.
The former Young Liberal President is a party faithful with plenty of support and goodwill behind him.
After graduating from the University of Sydney in 2014 he worked briefly as a Ministerial Policy Adviser for the State Government.
But for the past four years he has been in the corporate world and is currently in management consulting for PwC.
He has proven fiercely intelligent, presentable and charismatic.
He has not lived in the area for a long time, but his lack of local ties probably won’t be an issue for the Liberals in putting him forward.
Tim James
Tim James is perhaps the most like-for-like Abbott replacement of all the contenders.
Mr Smith, who is firmly on the right of the party, narrowly lost out in preselection last year to Felicity Wilson for the state seat of North Shore.
Mosman-based Mr James was Chief of Staff to Minister Anthony Roberts in the NSW Government and he also worked in the Howard Government for six years, including in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Paul Ritchie
Few are better placed to know what made Tony Abbott such a success — and then ultimately what led to his downfall, than Paul Ritchie.
Mr Ritchie was head of communications and senior adviser to Mr Abbott during his prime ministership.
He helped him connect with and tap in to everyday Australians and no doubt learnt plenty from his downfall.
He worked closely with Liberal heavyweights such as Josh Frydenberg, Michaelia Cash and Paul Fletcher when he edited a collection of essays written by senior party figures to mark the 75th anniversary of Robert Menzies’ Forgotten People publication.
He remains well regarded and liked in Canberra and by the party’s powerbrokers.
James Griffin
The Manly MP who replaced Mike Baird has been mentioned by multiple sources.
Mr Griffin was re-elected this year with a 10 per cent boost to his primary vote from the by-election of 2017.
Mr Griffin declined to comment other than say: “Having just been resoundingly re-elected I am passionately committed to serving the electorate of Manly in the parliament of NSW.
“Canberra is too cold anyway.”
Margaret Cunneen
The former Crown Prosecutor turned private lawyer has been heavily involved with the Liberal Party in Warringah.
She was one of many to put out videos endorsing Mr Abbott in his battle to retain the seat.
And in December last year she was appointed to the Federal Government’s expert panel advising on the development of a national anti-corruption commission.
While Ms Cunneen’s name has been mentioned, it remains to be seen how seriously she would consider taking a tilt at Warringah.
In February she told The Daily Telegraph’s Stellar she was not entering politics.
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