Early preselection process for federal Liberal MPs brings on challenge to Kevin Andrews
Federal Liberal Kevin Andrews is the only MP facing an internal challenge in a preselection process that has divided the party and will come to a head at a crisis meeting next month.
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A former soldier has officially launched a challenge to claim the eastern suburbs seat of Menzies from Liberal veteran Kevin Andrews.
Keith Wolahan, a barrister, confirmed on Wednesday that he had nominated for preselection in the electorate held by the former Howard government minister since 1991 — the only challenge to any sitting federal MP.
The early preselection process, driven by state Liberal president Robert Clark, has stoked factional tensions within the party, as all sitting federal MPs had asked for it to be delayed.
An extraordinary Liberal State Council meeting is now expected to be held within weeks to resolve the dispute, after several petitions were lodged to cancel this round of preselections and move of a motion of no confidence in the party’s powerful administrative committee.
In a letter to members yesterday, Mr Clark said the behaviour of party figures behind those moves was “increasingly wild and irresponsible”.
“It is hard to see a good reason to cancel all current preselections at this late stage and then recommence them again just seven months later,” he said.
A senior Liberal figure added: “They cancelled preselections last term to protect Kevin and now his own electorate chair is calling for State Council to cancel the current process and instantly dismiss all members of the Administrative Committee. This is getting beyond embarrassing.”
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But a federal Liberal source said the entire process was pointless, as preselections would have to be held again after an electoral boundary redraw by the Australian Electoral Commission goes ahead this year, as is expected.
“The early preselections are a factional play designed to help Keith Wolahan by disenfranchising 90 local members votes and in the process destabilising the Morrison Government,’’ the source said.
“It’s a curious way for anyone to commence their political career.’’
Applications also closed yesterday for nominations to replace state upper house MP Mary Wooldridge, with Emanuele Cicchiello and Asher Judah considered the frontrunners.