Claims Liberal MPs ‘frozen out’ by party bosses amid failed Victorian election campaign

Frustrated Liberal staffers have slammed the lack of support from party bosses before their failed state election campaign.

Liberal MPs were “frozen out” of the party’s campaign effort with state director Sam McQuestin refusing to return calls to sitting members, a candidate says.

It comes as another failed Liberal candidate lashed the party’s campaign, saying it failed to properly engage with local communities.

In a letter to supporters, the candidate for Clarinda, ­Anthony Richardson, called for a strategic overhaul ahead of the next election.

He claimed he was told that campaigning in the safe Labor seat, which it won despite a 4.6 per cent swing against the party, was a waste of time. “There needs to be change at HQ,” he said. “Their statement that we were a waste of their time still rings in my ears.

“They need to run a better balance of local and state strategies, present a more positive and cohesive value proposition at a state level (not just run a giveaway frenzy), they need to better listen and work with their candidates and dramatically improve their service levels.”

LNP state director Sam McQuestin is refusing to return calls to sitting members, a source claims. Picture: Supplied

Mr Richardson also echoed long-held concerns by internal critics about preselection.

“It is also critical they ­endorse candidates at least 12 months out if they expect any real chance of identifying and campaigning on local issues,” he said.

At least one sitting member told Point Cook candidate ­Angela Newhouse they had been “frozen out” by the campaign team. “I am frozen out of the HQ process at this point, McQuestin is not returning any contact I try to make,” the MP said in an email just 10 days before the election.

“As deputy leader, David Southwick is probably the best point of contact to get things moving. Frustrating to say the least.”

Former Victorian Liberals leader Matthew Guy resigned after another failed state election. Picture: David Caird

Ms Newhouse had contacted the MP for help saying she was “getting zero support on anything from party HQ”.

“I wouldn’t be bothered if this was a very safe Labor seat, but this is a seat we will win if everyone in the electorate knows what we are offering,” Ms Newhouse said.

“I need you to please speak to someone to get them to call me to resolve this.”

Ms Newhouse was appealing for help securing extra campaign material.

“We are committing electoral suicide over around $1500 worth of printing and over polling booth manpower on election day,” she said.

“All I have received from party HQ is 150 corflutes, 500 business cards and 2400 DLs.”

Last week Ms Newhouse told the Herald Sun she was denied help to try to win her seat and was bullied and called “stupid” when she urged the party to run a positive campaign. In Point Cook, a safe Labor seat, Ms Newhouse recorded a 4.3 per cent swing to the Liberal Party and said she believed she could have won.

But she said messaging failed to capitalise on the $1bn in promises on offer for locals, or the expected creation of thousands of jobs in the electorate.

The Liberal Party was asked for comment.