‘Time for a change’: Sam Groth to run for Liberal Party

Aussie tennis star Sam Groth has confirmed he will officially run for the Liberal Party in the 2022 state election.

Mitch ClarkeState Politics Reporter

4 min read

February 1, 2022 - 2:55PM

Sam Groth with his wife Brittany with their 10-month-old twins, Mason and Parker. Picture: Michael Klein

Victoria

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Aussie tennis ace Sam Groth has confirmed he will officially run for the Liberal Party.

In a statement on Tuesday, the former World No.53 and Australian Open commentator said he had submitted his application for endorsement for the seat of Nepean, which is now held by first-term Labor MP Chris Brayne.

“Nepean is a great place to live, work and raise a family, and the pandemic has encouraged even more Victorians to call the Mornington Peninsula home,” he said.

“This includes my wife Britt and I, who are raising our young family in Blairgowrie.

“My background, discipline, career, media profile and community work, will give the Liberal Party a terrific opportunity to preselect a long-term Member of Parliament who will fight for Nepean every single day.

“As per the party’s rules, I will be making no further comment.”

The former World No.53 and Australian Open commentator will this week officially hand in his papers for preselection. Picture: Getty Images

The Herald Sun has confirmed local state conference chair David Burgess and ex-Bentleigh MP Liz Miller have both also submitted their pre-selection papers.

It’s understood a fourth candidate, local Ben Logan, is also considering a tilt at the seat.

Senior Liberal party sources have told the Herald Sun that Mr Burgess is shaping up to be Mr Groth’s biggest threat.

“It would seem pretty certain that it will come down to Sam and David,” one source said.

Mr Groth’s quest for special dispensation will go to a circular vote of the administrative committee on Tuesday.

He is seeking special dispensation to have his bid approved, because he has been a Liberal Party member for less than a year.

It’s understood he would need a three quarter majority of the committee.

Party sources say Mr Groth and his supporters are “feeling positive” ahead of the preselection battle.

In December last year, Groth, 34, said it was time for a change.

“Like many Victorians, I think it’s time for a change in government,” he said.

Party insiders backed Groth’s pitch, with one source saying his extensive media training, experience in the major events and sporting sector, and the ability to connect with various generations made him the “perfect candidate”.

“We can’t keep preselecting the same kind of candidate for every election and every seat. We need to do something different, and when we have someone with Sam’s calibre, it would be a failure for the party to choose someone else,” the insider said.

“We can’t, as a party, overlook someone who is the true definition of renewal and can lead us to the next generation of our party.

“My view is that he is the only candidate that has the ability to win back the seat.”

Nepean, which comprises the southernmost part of the Mornington Peninsula, was considered a relatively safe seat for the Liberal Party until Mr Brayne’s shock 2018 election win.

Mr Brayne, who was just 25 when elected, defeated Liberal candidate Russell Joseph, who originally won the primary vote. Prior to that, Liberal MP Martin Dixon had held the seat for 22 years.

While Groth only recently moved to Blairgowrie with his wife Britt and their twin boys, key backers say his connections to the area are deep-rooted.

Sam Groth’s stint on travel program Postcards is believed to have fuelled his decision to run. Picture: Fiona Hamilton Photography

One insider said Britt’s family had a house in the area for 45 years and that Groth was a “long-term holiday-maker”.

“It’s easy for people to point to how long someone’s lived there, but when you look at the connection Sam has to that area, it’s extremely long term,” they said.

His stint on travel program Postcards, where he worked closely with local businesses impacted by repeated lockdowns, is believed to have fuelled his decision to run.

“He’s seen first-hand the devastating impact that the Labor government’s handling of the pandemic has had on small businesses,” the source added.

A potential campaign against Mr Brayne posed a “complex” challenge but it was one that Groth could match, the source said.

“Chris Brayne is very young. He connects very well with young families and Nepean has a shifting demographic so we do need to put someone in that seat that can connect with that older demographic but can also genuinely relate to those younger voters, many of whom are swing voters. Chris can do that, but so can Sam, and if we’re not willing to match that campaigning ability, we won’t win that seat back,” they said.

Party insiders are impressed with Groth’s media training and experience in sports and major events. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

Insiders have flagged that, if elected, Groth could quickly become a senior figure in a Matthew Guy government, and even had what it took to one day become Premier.

“We have some really top performers in our parliament, and I think Sam will certainly be up there among those,” one party source said.

“No doubt Sam’s number one goal is to be the best local member he can be, but he has enormous drive, determination and the ability to move forward for the next 25 years as an advocate for the party.”

The Nepean preselection is likely to take place in February.