Retiring MP Jann Stuckey misses out on favourite candidate, could backfire on Gold Coast LNP
RETIRING MP Jann Stuckey has failed to have her favoured candidate endorsed by the LNP for preselection creating a political storm in her southern Gold Coast seat.
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RETIRING MP Jann Stuckey has failed to have her favoured candidate endorsed by the LNP for preselection creating a political storm in her southern Gold Coast seat.
The Bulletin two months ago predicted the Currumbin preselection process was causing internal problems for the LNP.
Since announcing her retirement in June, Ms Stuckey had been introducing lawyer Chris Crawford at RSL and surf club meetings where it became obvious he was her preferred candidate.
But Coast party heavyweights want a candidate with more public profile who they believe could win votes on law and order issues with crime a problem around Palm Beach and Currumbin.
Political sources confirm Mr Crawford late last week had failed to pass preselection vetting, and when State officials notified the Currumbin branch there was a fiery meeting involving the MP.
“Chris didn’t pass. That went through State executive, then it went to the Currumbin members,” the source said.
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Labor campaign strategists in the lead-up to preselection had publicly exposed what they considered Mr Crawford’s National Party and Right leaning politics.
Ms Stuckey could not be contacted yesterday and Mr Crawford declined to comment.
In the 2017 poll she retained her seat with 47 per cent of the vote. Labor gained 35 per cent of the primary vote and the Greens 11 per cent, with their preferences helping the ALP.
Labor is again focused on the seat aware the consistent Green vote along with the LNP’s preselection drama makes Currumbin a potential win.
Coast LNP MPs are aware of the preselection drama but not commenting, with one MP saying: “Pre-selections are a matter for the LNP organisation. None, not even mine, have been finalised.”
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A senior party campaign official declined to comment when asked for an update.
“The LNP doesn’t comment on the preselection process. It’s internal party business,” the official said.
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