Factions are a malignancy in the Liberal Party

Jim Molan has been hung out to dry because he does not belong to the left faction.

Jim Molan pulled no punches in his article (“Factional bullies corner the Liberal vote”, 6/12). It is well known that those on the left in the Liberal Party, although some not elected, hold all the power in preselections.

This is a malignant tumour and it has to be excised. And just when a vote is taking place in our federal parliament to relax our border security, one man, former general Molan, who was the military brains behind stopping the boats, has been hung out to dry, because he does not belong to the political left.

The nation needs him in the government, now more than ever.

Scott Morrison must make a “captain’s call”. If he does not, this parlous situation in the factions will metastasise, and the Liberals will be no better than Labor.

Lesley Beckhouse, Queanbeyan, NSW

Jim Molan is right that further reform is needed on the Liberal Party’s selection of candidates. It is time for all Liberal Party members in NSW to have a say in their endorsed candidates. We have got rid of the appalling selection method used in 2016, but further reform is needed. And it is a very good idea for the election to be supervised by the Australian Electoral Commission following the Senate election method but without above-the-line voting that would be used to institutionalise factions.

I note Malcolm Turnbull wanted Craig Kelly to be selected (more likely thrown out) by branch members, rather than endorsed by the PM. But it was Turnbull who had the selection changed in 2016 so that Concetta Fierravanti-Wells was shifted to the top instead of Hollie Hughes. He can’t have it both ways.

Molan lost out because he was too popular. As a result many, thinking he was a shoo-in, voted their second preference at the top. A determined campaign to Vote 1 Jim Molan and then the rest of the ticket could see him elected.

Dudley Horscroft, Banora Point, NSW

History will record the legacy of Scott Morrison’s predecessor as one of gross treachery to the Liberal Party. Morrison must cast aside any characteristics that align him with that odious person.

Morrison’s legacy will identify with his obvious qualities of openness, decency, honourable behaviour and courage. While the chance of his prevailing at next year’s election is slim, intervening to ensure Jim Molan’s winnable position on the Senate ticket may enhance the chance. But more importantly, he would be responsible for putting into the Senate a man whose calibre over the next six years would be of advantage to Australia.

Dick Crane, Killarney Heights, NSW

Judging by his recent performances in the parliament by taking a big stick to Labor, I get the feeling that by the time of the election, Scott Morrison just might do the unexpected.

But the PM says one forms government by having the best members and candidates “and that’s where my focus is to ensure the re-election of the government”.

So is the PM declaring that two unknowns preselected in front of Jim Molan have more to offer than a retired general?

Mike Flanigan, Toowoomba, Qld

Democracy within the Liberal Party has obviously been surrendered to factional division in the NSW Liberal Party’s head office. Those members of the public who once thought their voice counted at the ballot box have been hoodwinked in witnessing the untenable preselection prospect in place for Jim Molan.

Obviously, recent by-elections and the annihilation in Victoria have meant nothing to those pulling the strings in the Liberal Party.

Ian Kent, Renmark, SA

When Scott Morrison says he’s a big supporter of Jim Molan but he has to be elected in accordance to party process, Morrison is missing the point. It’s the process that is wrong. The point so powerfully illustrated by Molan that candidate selection in NSW occurs through a “deeply distorted process”. Why is Morrison supporting the process, rather than challenging it as Molan has done?

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

Labor and its faceless men used to be famous for their infighting but the NSW Liberals are proving to be quick learners. And who can forget Malcolm Turnbull’s hand on heart declaration about there being no factions in the Liberal Party?

David Crommelin, Strathfield, NSW