NSW Liberal Party councillors, staffers expelled from party after investigation into alleged branch stacking

The high-profile NSW Liberal members expelled from the party in December over branch stacking allegations can now be revealed, including three sitting councillors and a current political staffer.

The allegations into branch stacking in the NSW Liberals were investigated last year and resulted in the expulsion of at least six members in December. Picture: Jason Edwards

Three Sydney councillors and a political staffer are among six NSW Liberal members expelled from the party amid branch stacking allegations.

Georges River councillors Sam Elmir and Nick Smerdely and Canterbury-Bankstown councillor Jess Nguyen were expelled at a party state executive meeting in December following an internal Liberal party investigation into the allegations.

Mr Elmir is a former NSW Liberal state executive member while Mr Smerdely works as a staffer for Liberal upper house member Peter Poulos.

Matthew Hana, also a former NSW Liberal state executive member and ex-candidate in the state seat of Prospect, was also expelled alongside Gabriel Harb, who also uses the last name Habib. Mr Harb had worked in the parliamentary office of Corrective Services Minister Geoff Lee.

The identities of the Liberal members who had been kicked out of the party had remained secret until now.

Former state executive member and current Georges River councillor Sam Elmir. Picture: Georges River Council

Political staffer and current Georges River councillor Nick Smerdely. Picture: Georges River Council

The investigation examined various aspects of branch stacking allegations, including the manner in which email accounts and websites were used. The matter has been referred to the NSW Electoral Commission.

All of the expelled members, who have the option to appeal the decision, declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Telegraph.

Matthew Hana was also a former candidate for the state seat of Prospect. Picture: Craig Wilson

Canterbury-Bankstown councillor Jess Nguyen (left) with Premier Dominic Perrottet (centre). Picture: Facebook

Mr Harb, a former executive member of the NSW Young Liberals, was rumoured to be looking to nominate to replace Mr Lee in the state seat of Parramatta before the party endorsed lawyer Katie Mullins.

It is understood the Liberal party probe examined claims new branch members were being signed up – some with no idea – and registered with fake email addresses from a private server, allowing the inboxes to be controlled by someone else, who would then, among other things, renew memberships.

One Liberal source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said a cybersecurity expert had considered aspects of the allegations.

The source said they believed there was more incentive for branch stacking following the introduction of the “Warringah rules”, which allow all eligible party branch members to partake in preselection voting.

Former NSW Young Liberals state executive member and staffer Gab Harb. Picture: LinkedIn

A NSW Liberal Party spokesman said: “The matters have been referred to the NSW Electoral Commission – as previously stated, our response sent a clear message that the party takes such issues seriously.”

A NSW Electoral Commission spokeswoman said the body “does not comment on specific compliance matters or confirm whether an investigation is taking place unless permitted by law”.

“Matters brought to the attention of the NSW Electoral Commission are reviewed for potential compliance action in accordance with the commission’s compliance and enforcement policy,” she said.

“The NSW Electoral Commission does not have a compliance function in relation to the enforcement of internal political party constitutions”.

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