Premier Mike Baird leads northern beaches charge to give average voters more power

PREMIER Mike Baird will be the first state MP to trial controversial Liberal reforms giving average voters more power.

NSW Premier Mike Baird speaks during a press conference in Sydney. Picture: AAP.

PREMIER Mike Baird will be the first state MP to trial controversial Liberal reforms giving average voters more power.

The move is part of a northern beaches push — which includes former prime minister Tony Abbott — against the party’s factional kingmakers.

The introduction of a plebiscite would mean potential Liberal candidates for Mr Baird’s seat of Manly would be decided by all 550 members in that electorate, rather than 70 hand-picked preselectors.

It comes as the Coalition struggles for gender equality federally with the lowest amount of female MPs in government in 20 years.

And experts say the reforms could improve the party’s diversity.

“I am very supportive of the plebiscite,” Mr Baird said. “I strongly believe in giving members more power and giving them the vote on preselection is a natural part of the democratisation of the party.”

Tony Abbott with support of wife Margie, and NSW Premier Mike Baird on his election night party in Manly. Picture: Braden Fastier.

It follow’s former Prime Minister, and Warringah MP Tony Abbott’s election night call for democratisation of the Liberal Party.

In his election victory speech Mr Abbott highlighted a statewide campaign spearheaded by Walter Villatora who “led the fight for democracy”.

The reforms were suggested by a panel chaired by former prime minister John Howard.

“If Mike Baird wants it, if Malcolm Turnbull wants it, if John Howard wants it, if Barry O’Farrell wants it and Tony Abbott wants it, it“Surely it’s good enough for the factional warlords,” Mr Abbott had said.

Speaking exclusively to the Manly Daily, Mr Abbott said he believed the reforms were “necessary”.

“In the weeks and months ahead I will do what I can to ensure the party gives its members a fair go,” he said.

Former Australian prime minister John Howard wants party reform. Picture: AFP.

“The factional establishment appear to have the numbers to block it … I hope to change it.”

Last year, Michael Beckwith was preselected to the federal seat of Parramatta by plebiscite. It was part of an agreement made at the NSW State Liberal Council to host six plebiscite trials.

Five more will be conducted before the state election in 2019. Whether Mr Baird is one of the trials or not, he will be running a plebiscite. Lane Cove MP and Resources Minster Anthony Roberts will also host a vote.

Hawkesbury MP Dominic Perrottet is also believed to be putting his seat to an all-member vote.

Mr Villatora ran for Liberal preselection for the seat of Mackellar on a platform of democratisation of the party. He was rolled by Jason Falinski. Mr Villatora was approached, but declined to comment.

But, in an email to Liberal Party members seen by the Manly Daily, Mr Villatora called for structural reform as a “matter of urgency”.

“When a party’s organisation has prevented ordinary members having a say ... it is little wonder that the ALP had more booth workers on election day,” it said.

The only new female Liberal MP from the last state election, Eleni Petinos, used her first speech to encourage gender diversity.”

“By empowering each party member a vote, greater diversity of opinion is considered when selecting the best candidate for the seat,” she said.

Sydney UNiversity associate professor of policy studies, Susan Goodwin indicated a plebiscite system could open the door for more women into politics.

Liberal party member Walter Villatora poses during a photo shoot at the beach near his Manly home. Picture: Troy Snook

She raised the seat of Mackellar where Bronwyn Bishop was replaced by Jason Falinski — it was one of three seats where men replaced outgoing women.

She said Mr Falinski was given the “safe seat because he is a loyal bloke”.

“If it had been cast out to a broader constituency they might have said ‘no we like having woman, we want another woman’,” she said.

Mr Falinski said he was supportive of getting more women in Parliament.

“Democracy is an incredibly important part of any political party. But in terms of getting more women into Parliament, I can think of initiatives that will yield better outcomes,” he said.

NSW Liberal headquarters was asked for comment