The Source: Josh Frydenberg and Peter Dutton in proxy battle, with Amelia Hamer and Jacquie Blackwell both gunning for Malvern
Josh Frydenberg and Peter Dutton never went head-to-head for the party's leadership. But now their political sway is being put to the test in the race to replace Michael O’Brien in Malvern.
Putting the squeeze on Victoria’s movers, shakers and headline makers
Josh Frydenberg and Peter Dutton never went head-to-head for the Liberal Party’s leadership, as they were dumped from their seats in successive federal elections.
But the former ministers are now ambitious for others – and their political sway will be put to the test in a fascinating proxy battle in the party’s heartland in Melbourne’s leafy eastern suburbs.
With the state election just over a year away, The Source hears things are heating up in Malvern in the race to replace ex-Liberal leader Michael O’Brien.
In one corner is Amelia Hamer, the Oxford-educated 32-year-old who has the backing of Dutton.
Hamer – the grand-niece of former Victorian premier Rupert Hamer – was part of the Queenslander’s team in the May federal election. She lost narrowly to incumbent teal MP Monique Ryan in Kooyong, Frydenberg’s old seat which he had flirted with recontesting.
In Hamer’s vote-for-me pack shared with Malvern Liberals, Dutton praises her as an “exceptional candidate”.
“Despite an enormous fundraising effort and smart, tactical ground game, Amelia couldn’t counter the general swing against the Coalition,” he says.
“Amelia’s accomplished and successful career, along with her work ethic and ability to connect with people will mean she enhances the prospects of a change of government at the next state election.”
She is also backed by former premiers Jeff Kennett and Ted Baillieu, restaurant king Chris Lucas, and ex-federal ministers Jane Hume and Simon Birmingham.
In the other corner is Jacquie Blackwell, the chair of the Liberal Women’s Council of Victoria. She is a long-time ally of Frydenberg and has the former treasurer encouraging her bid.
Who will prevail?
Both are good candidates – and they are also squaring off with Xavier Boffa (a close ally of John Pesutto who has the support of Mitch Fifield, the former ambassador to the United Nations) and Lana Collaris (backed by former chief crown prosecutor Gavin Silbert KC).
Given the party’s perpetual struggles with finding quality candidates, The Source wonders why seats could not be found for both Hamer and Blackwell. But old habits die hard.
‘Moneytalks’: Billionaire AC/DC fan spotted
It really has been a high-voltage week in Melbourne. Acca Dacca fans are everywhere – black T-shirts and flannos well represented across our fair city.
Indeed, AC/DC has a broad appeal and even it seems among those with enough dosh to buy the band’s whole back catalogue.
Take the case of US billionaire businessman and Chelsea Football Club owner Todd Boehly, who was spotted checking out the new sign at AC/DC Lane in the CBD.
In Australia for the UBS Australasia Conference this week, Boehly was snapped with Alpha Barbers boss Frank Bazzano in the city en route to Grill Americano.
Boehly – a part owner of the LA Lakers basketball team and the LA Dodgers baseball outfit – was happy to chat about the rock icons and their classic songs including, dare we suggest, 1990 track Moneytalks.
Got a tip? Let us know: thesource@heraldsun.com.au
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