Jacqui Munro: NSW Treasurer Matt Kean’s endorsed candidate’s progressive past

Jacqui Munro’s social media posts reveal she praised the devil, supported drug legalisation and celebrated Julia Gillard’s 2010 election victory.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean’s endorsed candidate for the upper house vacancy declared she loves “the devil”, supported drug legalisation and celebrated the victory of former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard. Picture: AAP IMAGE/ Danny Aarons.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean’s endorsed candidate for the upper house vacancy declared she loved “the devil”, supported legalisation of drugs and celebrated the victory of former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard.

The historical social media posts of Jacqui Munro, the Liberal Women’s Council president and former adviser to Wentworth independent Kerryn Phelps, reveal a progressive streak that opposed the NSW Liberal Party’s lockout laws and criticised Tony Abbott.

Ms Munro, who was backed in by senior moderates as the replacement for dumped Legislative Council MP Peter Poulos on Sunday night, has faced questions over her political leanings and on whether an inner-city resident is best placed to represent Liberal members in southern Sydney.

In one 2016 Facebook post, Ms Munro seems to endorse Christopher Hitchens characterisation of Mother Teresa as a “fraud” and a “fanatic”, sharing a link to the director’s investigation “Mother Teresa: Hell’s Angel” with the caption “Hitch-slapped”.

In another, she seems to praise Satan, saying: “You know what I love? I love accountability. I love the devil. I love discussion. rational thought and intelligence binds us. #pride”

Ms Munro also appears to have celebrated Ms Gillard’s victory over Mr Abbott during the 2010 federal election.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“Thank you, (former Lyne independent Rob) Oakshott (sic) and (former New England independent Tony) Windsor, for making this the BEST Silent Disco ever attended!!!!,” she wrote.

In 2015, Ms Munro posted an article questioning why drugs were illegal, commenting “an extremely useful contribution to public discourse. Concise and considered.”

Ms Munro was contacted for comment.

The social media posts came as the likelihood of Ms Munro’s promotion to the upper house vacancy appeared to be growing slimmer, with powerbrokers working to find a consensus candidate who would garner enough votes to pass the state executive.

State executive sources said Ms Munro appeared to be about three votes short of reaching the necessary 50 per cent plus one.

Former Young Liberals president Deyi Wu, deposed Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons, Shoalhaven Council deputy mayor Paul Ell and Sutherland mayor Carmelo Pesce were all named as possible replacements.

Transport Minister David Elliott remained in the frame but sources on state executive said they doubted he could secure support outside his centre-right faction.

For the second day in a row, a mooted ballot to endorse a candidate failed to materialise.

Mr Poulos was disendorsed and suspended from the party for six months over revelations he circulated explicit images of a ­female Liberal rival ahead of a preselection battle in 2018.