Bradfield High Court challenge triggers internal Liberal backlash

“There’s a lot of Coalition MPs who are p***ed about that,” one MP said of the party’s legal challenge over the North Sydney seat.

The decision to challenge Gisele Kapterian’s razor-thin Bradfield election loss has triggered anger among Liberal MPs, with multiple state and federal members accusing Sussan Ley of supporting the action after Ms Kapterian’s backed her in the party’s leadership tussle.

Ms Kapterian’s announcement she’ll take her loss to Teal Independent Nicolette Boele to the High Court has been criticised by multiple MPs, who spoke to The Telegraph on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely.

The legal action comes after Ms Kapterian initially won the May election count by eight votes, with the slim margin triggering an automatic recount which Ms Boele then won by a margin of 26.

But the move has triggered anger from MPs in the party, who claimed Ms Ley supported the action because Ms Kapterian backed the now-Opposition Leader in a narrow leadership ballot win over Angus Taylor.

The Bradfield candidate also has a position waiting for her on the party’s frontbench which is yet to be filled, which — alongside the cost to the party of the legal challenge — has triggered anger from MPs.

Liberal candidate for Bradfield Gisele Kapterian talking to voters in Chatswood during the election campaign.

“How do we come out of this if we lose?” one federal Coalition MP said.

“There’s an element of looking petty and if we lose it looks (petty).

“If she wasn’t Sussan’s (supporter), they probably wouldn’t be fighting so hard”.

The MP said anger was also brewing over a frontbench role left on hold for Ms Kapterian.

“There’s a lot of Coalition MPs who are pissed about that,” they said.

“She’s one of the chosen few.”

A NSW MP said it was “hard enough to raise money these days” for the party, only “to piss it up against the wall on legal costs”.

“The decision has been made. If there was one vote in it, then okay (go for the challenge) … this is more about the numbers in the party room than the numbers in the floor of parliament,” they said.

“Instead of focusing on the court case, focus on getting a bit of policy out there.”

Another federal MP said the reserving of a portfolio for Ms Kapterian had “absolutely” triggered grumbling.

“You’ve got second and third termers who have missed out, and someone who hasn’t got an office yet has a job,” they said. “There’s definitely rumblings.”

Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley during a press conference. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

It’s understood the legal costs will be met by the Liberal’s NSW division and fundraising efforts.

Ms Ley won the post-election leadership ballot 29-25 following broad backing from the moderate and centre-right factions, compared to the right’s support of Mr Taylor.

Two Ms Ley-supporting senators subsequently lost their positions when the senate reset, with Ms Kapterian’s apparent election loss further whittling down the difference in supporters between Ms Ley and Mr Taylor.

A senior Liberal source said the challenge was purely a bid to get more MPs into the parliament.

“Of course Sussan wants to see as many Liberals in parliament as possible – what federal leader wouldn’t and what member of the Liberal Party wouldn’t?” they said.

“What job does the party have if not to get Liberals elected to parliament and ensure a challenge to the result in line with the electoral law?”

Ms Kapterian and Ms Ley were contacted for comment.

Originally published as Bradfield High Court challenge triggers internal Liberal backlash