Federal election 2016: Liberal moves to replace Tony Nutt

Liberal Party state branches are discussing replacing federal director Tony Nutt before the next election.

Liberal Party federal director Tony Nutt. Picture: Gary Ramage

Liberal Party state branches are discussing replacing federal director Tony Nutt before the next election, as the national executive prepares for a “forensic” review of Malcolm Turnbull’s campaign.

Former NSW and West ­Australian state director Mark Neeham, who has also worked for conservative polling company Crosby Textor, has been speaking to state party officials about taking over the role, sources say.

Members of several states’ executive told The Australian that given the campaign result, in which the Coalition lost up to 15 House seats and three senators, there was a strong desire to move out Mr Nutt ahead of the next election.

The federal director is appointed by federal president Richard Alston in conjunction with the party’s federal leader; but state party leaders and branch presidents are usually consulted.

Mr Alston said yesterday Mr Nutt had his “complete support” and he had not had approaches from by state officials about ­replacing him since the campaign.

“Of course every state division will be welcome to put their views to the federal executive meeting and people can put written submissions to me,” Mr Alston said. “People always have views after elections, but no one has ­approached me about this.”

One state executive member told The Australian Mr Neeham would be an “excellent” federal ­director, having directed state and federal campaigns in WA and NSW before joining Crosby ­Textor as an executive director.

Mr Neeham worked with Mark Textor during the 2011 NSW campaign which Barry ­O’Farrell won with one of the largest-ever swings in Australia.

“He would be perfect to do the job, and frankly he would be the best person in Australia from an experience point of view,” said a state executive member.

One NSW party source also suggested the fact Mr Neeham was state director when the branch allegedly set up a slush fund to ­funnel illegal property developer donations could sully his chances.

There is also reluctance in the party to move against Mr Nutt who is held in high esteem. But sources said the poor federal result demonstrated a need for renewal before the 2019 election. Given his status, sources said, Mr Nutt could be offered a “dignified pathway to exit” and possibly another job with a senior government member.

One state president doubted there would be any move during the election review process “but there is a strongly held view that he will not be running the federal campaign in 2019”.

Asked if Mr Nutt would still be in charge of the 2019 campaign, Mr Alston said: “I have no reason to think he won’t be, but who can tell what might happen in three years’ time.”

Mr Neeham did not return calls and Mr Nutt declined to comment.