John Howard endorses Philip Argy as NSW Liberal Party president

John Howard has provided a ringing endorsement of Philip Argy, the challenger to Maria Kovacic for the NSW Liberal presidency.

Former prime minister John Howard. Picture: Jason Edwards

Former prime minister John Howard has provided a ringing endorsement of Philip Argy, the far-right challenger to former Parramatta candidate Maria Kovacic for the NSW Liberal presidency, just days out from the party’s much vaunted annual general meeting

With the NSW Liberal Party’s meeting pencilled in for Saturday, Ms Kovacic still appears certain to replace departing president Philip Ruddock. But with considerable factional dealing taking place behind the scenes, the composition of other key roles remains undetermined.

A longtime associate of Mr Argy, a commercial mediator and arbiter, Mr Howard said the party was in dire need of strong policies that aligned with the party’s core values.

“For close to 30 years, Philip Argy was an active and helpful Liberal member in my old electorate of Bennelong,” Mr Howard wrote. “He brought energy and high intelligence to what he did. Philip was always keen to strengthen the party organisation. As well, he constantly argued for good policies, which were consistent with our basic values. These are two qualities much in need at present.”

The director of the Franchise Council of Australia, Ms Kovacic’s appointment has divided Liberal MPs. Moderates have backed her temperament and credentials as representative of the party’s future, while others believe she is being used as a factional pawn.

The Australian understands several women were approached to run, including former NSW politicians Robyn Parker and Patricia Forsythe, the Australian high commissioner to New Zealand, before Ms Kovacic was approached.

Other Liberal insiders said the party needed to heed the lessons from the federal election and Mr Argy was not what the party needed, noting he had consistently unsuccessfully run for the higher office in the NSW division. “He’s definitely the wrong look for the party at this point in time,” a Liberal source said.

“Maybe people didn’t look at the federal election results, but we don’t need someone who is pale, male and stale.”

The NSW Liberal Party was paralysed in the lead-up to the election after infighting prevented preselections from proceeding. The dispute over three sitting MPs and nine candidates parachuted into seats ended in the nation’s highest court.