Alex Hawke, Sussan Ley to face preselections in NSW Liberal row

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke and Environment Minister Sussan Ley are likely to face preselections after the Liberal Party’s state executive rejected an attempt to endorse sitting MPs.

A ballot sought to use the state executive’s powers to directly endorse Alex Hawke. But the motion was roundly defeated. Picture: Martin Ollman

Ministers Alex Hawke and ­ Sussan Ley are likely to face preselections after the Liberal Party’s state executive resoundingly rejected an attempt to ­endorse sitting MPs in three seats.

Despite the federal election being just months away, factional brinkmanship has left several NSW seats without a sitting candidate, with Liberal MPs ­believing the chaos risks Scott Morrison’s re-election chances.

Amid the mess, barrister Jane Buncle has pulled out of running as Warringah candidate, with conservative-backed Lincoln Parker likely to run against independent Zali Steggall.

The Australian has been told the Prime Minister’s favoured candidate for Dobell, Pentecostal preacher Jemima Gleeson, is also likely to pull out of running.

“This is just absurd,” a senior NSW Liberal figure said. “Warringah was literally just sitting there. She (Steggall) was gone for all money.

“Kerry Packer used to say you only get one Alan Bond in your life. Zali Steggall has got the NSW division of the Liberal Party.”

Sussan Ley. Picture: Gary Ramage

A ballot sent out by NSW Liberal president Phillip Ruddock on Monday night sought to use the state executive’s powers to ­directly endorse Immigration Minister Mr Hawke, Environment Minister Ms Ley, and North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman.

“As established in previous ballots, the federal election is now imminent and there is very little time for normal preselection processes to occur and the ability for candidates to effectively campaign is severely ­impeded,” the ballot said.

“With respect to the electoral divisions of Farrer, Mitchell and North Sydney, I am recommending that State Executive use its powers under clause 13.2.4(1) of the Constitution (Special Powers) to suspend the normal nomination selection processes.”

But the motion was roundly defeated, receiving only seven of the 25 available votes. The ­defiance of Mr Morrison’s wishes came just days after a deal put together by factional heavyweights failed to materialise at a state executive meeting on Friday.

On Monday, the Prime Minister, Energy Minister Angus Taylor, Communications Minister Paul Fletcher and Reid MP Fiona Martin were all endorsed as Liberal candidates by the state executive. The sole candidates for Whitlam, Michael Cains, and for ­Werriwa, Sam Kayal, were also endorsed, subject to a vetting processes.

But the rejection of Mr Ruddock’s motion put the political futures of Mr Hawke, Ms Farrer and moderate powerbroker Mr Zimmerman in the hands of their respective branch members, unless there is intervention from the federal division. Liberal MPs said federal intervention would be challenged in the courts and cause “World War 3”.

The push for preselections comes after grassroots members responded furiously to reports of attempts by factional kingpins to stitch together the last-minute deal.

Letters penned to state executive decried the subversion of the party’s democratic process, saying the surreptitious deal would cripple the party’s ability to campaign effectively.

Delays to preselection voting saw NSW Liberal state director Chris Stone threatened with legal action by a member of his party’s state executive. The letter, sent by lawyers representing Matthew Camenzuli last Tuesday, alleges the party’s failure to carry out plebiscites and NRC meetings was the consequence of Mr Stone pursuing an agenda ulterior to the party’s best interests.