Liberal member Matthew Camenzuli is suing Prime Minister Scott Morrison

A Liberal is suing Scott Morrison, claiming he participated in an undemocratic process that robbed branch members the chance to endorse candidates in three of Australia’s safest seats.

Rosehill Liberal member Matthew Camenzuli is suing Prime Minister Scott Morrison, claiming he participated in a committee that would not allow members to pick candidates for federal preselection in three of Australia’s safest seats.

Mr Camenzuli, who is a state executive member, has filed a lawsuit against Mr Morrison, almost a month after launching legal action against Mitchell MP Alex Hawke, federal president John Olsen and state president Phillip Ruddock in the NSW Supreme Court.

He claimed the federal executive appointed a committee — comprising Mr Morrison, Premier Dominic Perrottet and Christine McDiven — that intervened in the NSW candidate selection process.

On February 25, the NSW Supreme Court ruled that the state executive was to stay in place, meaning it could not be sacked and replaced with an administrator.

On Tuesday, a leaked letter from Liberal NSW Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells to Liberal state executive members said the committee was required to “select and endorse a candidate” for Farrer (held by Sussan Ley), Mitchell (Alex Hawke) and North Sydney (Trent Zimmerman).

A member of his own party is suing Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

The incumbent trio was preselected as candidates last week.

“The sole reason for this intervention was due to the alleged failure of the NSW State Executive to endorse candidates in three of the safest electorates in Australia,’’ Ms Fierravanti-Wells wrote.

“I understand that the other candidates who had nominated in these three electorates were sent a message from the State Director advising of the resolution and thanking them for their ‘participation’.

“Other than lodging their nomination forms, these candidates were not afforded any opportunity for ‘participation’ at all!’’

Ms Fierravanti-Wells’ critical letter claimed the committee, which was no longer active since March 8 at 5pm, was formed to avoid plebiscites.

“What is the precedent that is being set when a ‘captain’s pick’ can be foisted on our Division by the Federal Executive?’’ she said.

Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells says a ‘captain’s pick’ imposed an unwanted precedent. Picture: Kym Smith

“I believe that the ‘manufactured’ delay in selecting candidates was deliberately designed to avoid plebiscites and trample on the rights of members!

“What is the point of our NSW Liberal Party Constitution if it can be trodden on and overridden in such a callous manner?’’

She said it was not a precedent the party should tolerate.

“There is now a serious question as to the legality of the processes that the Federal Executive has ‘imposed’ on our Division,’’ she said.

“Mr Matthew Camenzuli, member of the NSW State Executive, has therefore commenced a set of proceedings in the Supreme Court to uphold your rights and challenge the validity of the Committee’s decision to impose candidates in New South Wales.’’

Mr Camenzuli is cousins with Liberal hopeful Charles Camenzuli, who plans to run for the marginal Parramatta seat, which outgoing MP Julie Owens holds by 3.5 per cent.

It is a seat in which members will preselect candidates, not the committee, which was not active from March 8 at 5pm.

Mr Camenzuli declined to comment.

Mr Morrison’s office was contacted for comment.

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