NSW Liberal Melanie Gibbons quits to challenge Craig Kelly for federal seat of Hughes

Dominic Perrottet is facing yet another new and daunting challenge, just a week after he was installed as NSW Premier.

The NSW Liberal-National coalition will have to win four by-elections to avoid slipping further into minority government, after another MP announced she’s quitting.

Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons said on Wednesday she would resign from state parliament to challenge renegade MP Craig Kelly for his federal seat of Hughes.

She’s the fourth government MP to quit in recent weeks, after former Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s resignation on October 1 inspired others to follow.

Dominic Perrottet’s Coalition needs to win four by-election to avoid slipping further into minority. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi/POOL via NCA NewsWire

Ms Berejiklian’s seat of Willoughby, former Transport Minister Andrew Constance’s seat of Bega, former Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s seat of Monaro, and Holsworthy will all be up for grabs.

Newly minted Premier Dominic Perrottet currently has 46 MPs on his side in parliament's lower house, while Labor and the crossbench number 47 in total.

Ms Gibbons said she would run for Hughes because she felt Mr Kelly had “let down” the community.

“(The community) needs and deserves better representation … the seat of Hughes needs someone ethical, who listens and responds to them,” she said in a statement on Wednesday.

United Australia Party MP Craig Kelly will face a challenge from a NSW Liberal. (Photo by Rohan Thomson/Getty Images)

But Labor’s deputy leader Prue Car said it seemed Ms Gibbons was simply “choosing her career over her community”.

“The Premier needs to demand that Melanie Gibbons reverse her decision and stay on to support the people of Holsworthy as we emerge from lockdowns, rather than jump ship to look for a new job in Canberra,” Ms Car said.

“The midst of a pandemic is not the time for ministers and MPs to cut and run.”

ABC election analyst Antony Green said Holsworthy could be a difficult by-election for the NSW government.

“A western suburbs seat, margin 3.3 per cent, and less safe than other three seats facing by-elections,” he tweeted.

If Melanie Gibbons wins Liberal pre-selection for Hughes and resigns from NSW parliament, it would give government a difficult by-election in Holsworthy. A western suburbs seat, margin 3.3%, and less safe than other three seats facing by-elections. #nswpolpic.twitter.com/2mQO7pdeZP

— Antony Green (@AntonyGreenABC) October 13, 2021

The Prime Minister, whose electorate Cook borders Hughes, said he would welcome Ms Gibbons’ candidacy.

“I have known Melanie Gibbons for many years and welcome her decision to put herself forward for selection as the Liberal Party’s candidate for Hughes at the next federal election,” Scott Morrison said.

“Melanie is a passionate local state Liberal member and has served her community for nearly two decades.

“Her experience and perspective would be a welcome addition to my federal team and working together in neighbouring electorates in southern Sydney.”

Mr Kelly was first elected to represent Hughes in 2010. He served as a Liberal member until February this year, when he quit the party following a falling-out with the Prime Minister.

Mr Kelly had defied Scott Morrison by repeatedly touting questionable treatments for COVID-19, which cut against advice from the federal health authorities.

He joined the United Australia Party in August.