Warringah: Liberals open search for candidate to take on Zali Steggall
The hunt is officially on to find a Liberal candidate to oust Warringah independent Zali Steggall at next year’s federal election, with Gladys Berejiklian a possible late contender.
Manly
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Senior Liberals say fallen Premier Gladys Berejkilian should turn her attention to federal politics and stand for the seat of Warringah, even if she entered the race late.
It follows her shock resignation last week after the Independent Commission Against Corruption announced it was investigating further her relationship with disgraced former MP Daryl Maguire and whether she breached the public’s trust.
A Liberal collegue told the Manly Daily that Ms Berejiklian, who grew up in Manly, would do an outstanding job as the member for Warringah.
“Gladys would give Warringah its voice back,” the source said.
“She would do an outstanding job and be welcomed by the community.
“The next few months will give her time to think about it and even if she entered the race late, her public profile and leadership would see her win Warringah easily.”
Liberal nominations for pre-selection in Warringah opened on Friday.
Last week high profile Liberal Natalie Ward, an Upper House MP in the NSW parliament and a Minister in the Coalition State Government, confirmed she will not seek preselection to run for the Libs in Warringah.
Senior local Liberal sources said on Friday that another woman, Manly barrister Jane Buncle, a party moderate, was now the most likely Liberal to battle it out with Ms Steggall.
But the sources say that potential candidate Sasha Grebe, a former advisor to Scott Morrison, will attract a lot of cross-factional support from the 700 preselectors.
And it appears certain that a push earlier this year to entice former NSW Premier and MP for Manly, Mike Baird, back into politics in a bid to oust Ms Steggall, has halted.
Ms Ward, respected for her work representing the northern beaches in the Legislative Council, confirmed to the Manly Daily on Friday, that she was happy to remain in NSW parliament.
Her name had been pushed forward as a strong challenger to Ms Steggall due to her views on the need to do more to combat climate change.
“I’m privileged to have been asked to serve the people of NSW as their Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans and am committed to that work and to the NSW Government,” Ms Ward said.
A senior Liberal insider said that the “intellectually, very impressive” Ms Buncle’s chances of winning Liberal preselection had firmed with Ms Ward stepping away.
The 33-year-old barrister is a member of the Manly surf club and is understood to believe climate change is real, which many say is a prerequisite for a Liberal candidate taking on Ms Steggall.
“She has the support of the moderates in the local branches,” the insider said.
“And because she’s a woman, she’s already 100m down the track ahead of everyone else.”
Mr Grebe, who insiders said has support from both the conservative and progressive sides of the party, including the centre-right faction, looks likely to be Ms Buncle’s main opposition for preselection.
He also has “green” credentials — he helped set up a renewable energy company in the Philippines — and has worked with the Federal Government on its energy policy.
Mr Grebe, told the Manly Daily last year that any candidate would have to convince the public they were genuinely passionate about the environment.
He said on Friday that he did not want to comment on the preselection.
Other potential candidates include Alex Dore, 31, from Manly, who is on the Liberal Party’s State Executive and a former president of the Young Liberals.
“Alex Dore has impressive support from the local Young Libs but the problem is he hasn't had much involvement in the community yet.
“He has no profile outside of Liberal circles, but due to his time working the Liberal branches, he is still a contender.
Tim James, executive general manager of the Liberal think tank, the Menzies Research Centre and who has run for preselection for the NSW seat of North Shore is still in the mix.
A highly placed source said the conservative Mr James “was still thinking about nominating”.
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