Federal Liberal executive force takeover on NSW branch, after council election failure

The NSW Liberal Party state executive has been directed to comply with a federal directive to replace its team after it failed to nominate candidates for local elections.

The federal arm of the Liberal Party will force a 10-month takeover of the NSW branch following a debacle where they failed to submit nominations for 140 candidates for 16 council elections.

The extraordinary measure was announced on Tuesday afternoon, with the federal executive requesting the appointment of a three member committee to include former NSW minister Rob Stokes, ex-Victorian senator Richard Alston, and former Victorian treasurer Robert Stockdale.

The three-person team will replace the current state executive, with president Don Harwin also to be ousted from his role.

The state division has been given until next Thursday to make the changes, or risk further intervention from the federal executive.

A statement from the federal branch said the spectacular local council failure, which resulted in the axing of NSW party director Richard Shields, led to concerns the brand was ill-prepared to “fight (in) the upcoming federal election”.

Former NSW minister Rob Stokes will part of the three-person committee to replace the current state executive. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The takeover period will cover the next federal election, which must occur before May next year.

“We owe it to our thousands of members in the state to address the challenges within the organisational wing of the NSW division,” the statement read.

“More importantly, we owe it to the millions of Australians who are relying on the Liberal Party to return Australia to good government after the next election to get our house in order.”

Former state director Chris Stone will also temporarily resume his role as state director.

The overhaul of the NSW branch comes as federal Liberal leader Peter Dutton prepares to fight a tough election against Anthony Albanese. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

NSW Liberal Party leader Mark Speakman has welcomed the changes, including the return of Chris Stone as state director. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

NSW Liberal Party president Don Harwin was also ousted in the move, plus other members of the state executive, who will be replaced by Mr Alston, Mr Stockdale and Mr Stokes.

SW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman said he welcomed Mr Stone’s appointment, however said he “would welcome the inclusion of an experienced female in this crucial role”.

“I look forward to discussions over the coming days about the precise composition of any committee,” he said.

“Views may differ on the scope and purpose of the committee, but what is more important is that all Liberals unite to defeat the Albanese Labor government and the Minns Labor government.”