Kevin Andrews to face preselection challenge

Veteran Victorian Liberal MP Kevin Andrews is set to be challenged for his suburban Melbourne seat by barrister Keith Wolahan.

Liberal MP Kevin Andrews. Picture: Richard Dobson

Veteran Victorian Liberal MP Kevin Andrews is set to be challenged for his eastern suburban Melbourne seat by barrister and former army officer Keith Wolahan, as the administrative wing of the Victorian party continues its program of forcing sitting MPs to renominate for their seats less than a year after the federal election.

Mr Andrews was the only sitting Liberal expected to face a challenge when nominations closed on Wednesday afternoon, despite talk from party members that Whitehorse councillor Blair Barker was being encouraged to challenge Gladys Liu in her eastern suburban seat of Chisholm.

The deadline came as nominations also closed for retiring state frontbencher Mary Wooldridge’s upper house eastern metropolitan seat, with former Property Council deputy director and Master Builders policy manager Asher Judah and school principal and former mayor Emanuele Cicchiello considered frontrunners.

Liberal Party sources confirmed Mr Wolahan had nominated to challenge former Howard and Abbott government minister Mr Andrews, but party rules precluded either of them discussing their nomination with the media.

Mr Andrews has held the seat of Menzies since winning it at a by-election in 1991 following the resignation of Fraser government minister Neil Brown.

Mr Wolahan, who specialises in commercial and administrative law, completed three tours of Afghanistan, including one as a platoon commander.

Deep divisions have opened up in the state party over president Robert Clark’s decision to hold nominations for federal seats more than two years ahead of the next election, with every sitting federal MP signing a letter to him last year urging him to reconsider. He will be forced to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the issue in February.