Warringah, federal election: Local Liberal Party members threaten to withdraw volunteer work over preselection row
Liberal Party members in Warringah, “angry and upset” about not being able to choose a candidate, are threatening not to volunteer during the upcoming federal election.
Manly
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Members of the Liberal Party are threatening to refuse to volunteer on polling day and during the federal election campaign because the decision on which candidate would run in Warringah was taken out of their hands.
Rank and file members did not get the chance to pick a candidate to take on independent Zali Steggall, due to an ugly internal party brawl over preselections.
Instead, the federal executive of the Liberal Party appointed a committee made up of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and former federal Liberal Party president Chris McDiven, to choses candidates in about a dozen NSW seats.
On the weekend, the committee named Manly Vale solicitor Katherine Deves as the Liberal candidate for Warringah.
Ms Deves, who is a co-founder of the Save Women’s Sport lobby group, was chosen ahead of Lincoln Parker, an international defence expert from Queenscliff and David Brady, a disability advocate and president of the Liberal’s Waverton/Wollstonecraft branch.
But Ms Deves’ selection may still be overturned, depending on the a decision in the NSW Court of Appeal on whether three other preselections were invalid.
In an emailed message to party members at the weekend — seen by the Manly Daily — Lee Furlong, president of the Warringah Federal Electoral Council, wrote that for “members of this conference to be deprived of the opportunity to select our candidate is nothing short of abhorrent”.
But Mr Furlong urged those who were upset at the decision and “thinking that you might just not bother helping” to reconsider, and help get Ms Deves elected.
“I am fully aware having spoken to many of you that you’re angry and upset – I am too,” he wrote.
“However we all joined this party to win elections for good candidates and we now have a good candidate who will take the fight up to Steggall.
“If you’re thinking that you might just not bother helping this time around, frankly, you may as well go and buy one of those ghastly teal Zali shirts and help her — because that is exactly what those who are “tools down”, or advocating that, are doing.
“My commitment to all of you is that we will hold those responsible to account, but first we have a seat to win back!”
In a separate email to party members in Warringah, confirming the endorsement of Ms Deves, the Liberal’s State President Philip Ruddock urged them to “to focus on the critical work of preparing for the federal campaign”.
“(It) will be hard fought and could be won or lost in NSW,” Mr Ruddock wrote.
“Every seat counts and if we work together as a team, we can all help ensure the re-election of our Liberal government that will keep working to build a strong economy and a stronger future.”
A media statement released by the Liberal Party said Ms Deves was raising her three daughters with tradie partner David.
If elected, Ms Deves would be a passionate advocate for small and family businesses, creating local jobs, and investing in local services and infrastructure, the release stated.
“Our local businesses have been hit particularly hard by the impact of the global Covid pandemic, and with families struggling with cost of living, this electorate needs a representative who will focus on supporting our community’s infrastructure and small business’ needs, and safeguarding our unique natural character.”
Ms Deves has been contacted for comment.
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