NSW State Election: Liberal candidates Kellie Sloane, Dr Kylie von Muenster reject claims of broken preselection process

The failure of Premier Perrottet’s push to get more Liberal women preselected in NSW hasn’t touched the eastern suburbs, where the candidates for Coogee and Vaucluse praised the party’s internal process.

Liberal Candidates for Coogee and Vaucluse, Dr Kylie von Muenster and Kellie Sloane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Two of only a handful of women preselected ahead of the NSW election in March have rejected claims female candidates have been stymied by “broken” internal party processes.

A string of Liberal women have missed out on preselection in recent months, despite Premier Dominic Perrottet’s promise the NSW Liberals would bring more women and people with diverse backgrounds into the party.

Candidate for the Liberal stronghold seat of Vaucluse Kellie Sloane described her preselection experience as “enormously positive.”

Liberal Candidates for Coogee and Vaucluse, Dr Kylie von Muenster and Kellie Sloane. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

“I can’t speak to the experience of others in other electorates,” Ms Sloane said.

“We had only female candidates put their hand up here,” she said.

Ms Sloane is running to replace long standing MP Gabrielle Upton, who announced she will be retiring from politics at the March election.

“You have to remember in the eastern suburbs we have two female mayors. I’m hopefully walking in the footsteps and following in the footsteps of a female member of parliament as a female federal member,” Ms Sloane said.

“We do this well in the east,” she added.

Vaucluse Liberal candidate Kellie Sloane said problems getting women preselected had not affected the east. Picture: Renee Nowytarger

Liberal candidate for Coogee Dr Kylie von Muenster who is standing against Labor MP Marjorie O’Neill said issues that have plagued the preselection process for several Liberal women had not been present in the eastern harbour electorates.

“In the east, we don’t seem to have any issues,” Ms von Muenster said.

Liberal women who have failed to win preselection include Camden councillor Lara Symkowiak, Hills Shire councillor Reena Jethi, Nowra businesswoman Jemma Tribe – as well as senior figure Natalie Ward, who failed to be preselected for the seat of Davidson in a shock decision.

Premier Dominic Perrottet is amping the pressure to bring more women to run in NSW. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Monique Harmer

A raft of senior Liberals have spoken out in recent days about the failure of local party officials to follow through on orders from the top – including Perrottet and senior Party figures – to bring more women into the NSW parliamentary party.

Treasurer Matt Kean urged branch members to “get on board” and suggested the failed presentation of Davidson showed there were serious issues with internal party processes.

Transport Minister David Elliott on Monday voiced condemnation after Tanya Raffoul, a senior liberal figure in western Sydney seeking preselection in Parramatta claimed party members discouraged her from running and said she was “too opinionated.”

(left-right) Minister for Cities Rob Stokes, Vaucluse MP Gabrielle Upton, Liberal candidate for Coogee Dr Kylie von Muenster, Liberal candidate for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane.

Ms Sloane and Ms von Muenster spoke at a media event on Thursday to mark the completion of $4.8 million in upgrades by the NSW government to the E.S Marks athletics field in Kensington, along with the planting of 200 native gum trees in Centennial Park.

Minister Cities Rob Stokes said the investments were reflective of wider achievements by the Perrottet government to improve liveability of Sydney, including major investments in cycleways in the eastern suburbs.

Mr Stokes said he was pleased to support two professional women candidates.

“I’m not just politically, but personally supportive of both Kelly and Kylie, because they’re exactly the sorts of people who are going to drive that agenda forward.”