Warringah Federal Electorate Conference AGM: Fierce battle expected in President ballot

The upcoming AGM of the local Liberals in Warringah could be fiery, with one source saying they are working on wiping out anyone linked to Tony Abbott’s last election campaign.

Lee Furlong, director of the NSW Taxi Council and Vice Presidents of the Liberal Warringah Federal Electoral Conference. Picture: Facebook.

The upcoming ballot for president of the Liberal’s Warringah Federal Electorate Conference looks set to be hotly contested, with plans afoot to wipe out any previous elements connected to the failed Tony Abbott election campaign.

Although all the executive positions within the FEC are honorary, insiders say whoever wins will have a powerful influence over who will be the next Liberal candidate to take on independent MP Zali Steggall for the seat of Warringah.

Former Prime Minister and Warringah Liberal candidate Tony Abbott concedes defeat at Manly Leagues Club in Brookvale, Sydney, Saturday, 18 May, 2019. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi)

For the first time all qualifying party members — expected to be around 700 — will be able to vote for their preferred choice to take on Steggall.

However, many will still look to the president for their thoughts on the best contender.

So, it’s no surprise that lobbyists are trying to shoehorn their favoured candidate into the role of president.

Several sources say Liberal moderate Lee Furlong, the current vice-president and director of the NSW Taxi Council, will be putting his hand up for the job.

He is also the president of the flagship Manly branch and is believed to be running for council preselection too.

Lee Furlong, director of the NSW Taxi Council and Vice President of the Liberal Warringah Federal Electoral Conference. Picture: Facebook.

If he wins it will “greatly enhance his credibility” and he would be seen as a “major player in Warringah”, says one.

Described as a “nice guy” with campaign experience, Furlong has some strong cross-factional support, according to a senior Liberal, but others say “they could do better” and the position will not go uncontested.

Young Liberal, Alex Dore at Barangaroo in Sydney. John Feder/The Australian.

Another Liberal source said a serious group is currently forming with a number of yet unnamed candidates who will contest all the executive positions to ensure there’s fresh blood at the top.

The source insisted the conference needed a “fresh start, otherwise we could find ourselves going backwards, suffering worse losses”.

“We need to unify the party,” they said. “We need to get back on track.”

Those on the hit list include Furlong and the other current vice-president Alex Dore.

The source claimed that along with the last president Roger Corbett, all three “called the shots” during the 2019 election.

While others say it was Abbott that was the driving force behind that campaign.

There was a big swing against Tony Abbott at the last election. Pictured are ‘Vote Tony Out’ supporters in their budgy smugglers on Balmoral Beach Mosman, February 25, 2019: Photo Vote Tony Out campaign.

An insider said the executive team was not to blame for losing Warringah because they were working with a candidate that was “out of touch” with the voters.

They said they thought anyone wanting to remain on the executive team will probably get in despite the threats.

“I think Lee will make a good president and will get in without controversy,” said one.

“The likes of Walter Villatora who got rolled last time are the old guard, not those on the executive team.

“I don’t think Walter’s people will get on the executive.”

Independent MP Zali Steggall won the seat of Warringah from former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in the 2019 federal election. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

The executive team will be elected at the AGM at Balgowlah RSL on March 20.

“This meeting is a big deal,” said one insider.

“It’s being held on a Saturday afternoon to make sure of a maximum turnout.

“It’s going to be a major battleground.”