Liberal Jim Molan flags run at bellwether Eden-Monaro if Mike Kelly steps down

As speculation mounts that Mike Kelly will retire from the bellwether seat, Jim Molan is adamant a Liberal must contest it.

Jim Molan’s personal campaign to stay in the Senate saw him garner the biggest first preference upper house vote in Australian history in 2019 Picture: Jonathan Ng

Liberal senator Jim Molan is flagging a possible run for the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro, saying he is leaving all his options open if Labor’s Mike Kelly decides to retire.

Speculation is mounting that Mr Kelly will quit the NSW electorate due to serious health issues dating back to his service in the Australian Army.

Senator Molan — whose personal campaign to stay in the Senate saw him garner the biggest first preference upper house vote in Australian history in 2019 – told his supporters that he would consider a run and he was adamant a Liberal contest the seat. 

“As a Liberal who lives in Eden Monaro and a member of the Queanbeyan Branch of the Party, I would be totally involved in any campaign.

“So regardless of who else runs, we should all assume that the Liberal Party will field a candidate. We always run in marginal seats.

“Should a by-election occur, under our NSW Liberal Party constitution, I would be limited in what I can say. But I am a Senator for New South Wales, and I have important causes to continue to fight for as a Senator. Regardless, I will personally keep all my options open.”

Senator Molan returned to the senate late last year after his huge first preference support still failed to get him elected. 

He later replaced now-Ambassador to the United States Arthur Sinodinos has publicly pledged to not run for a Senate spot in 2022.

Other potential Coalition candidates for Eden-Monaro include NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro and state Liberal transport minister Andrew Constance.