Liberal tensions rise in Victorian Senate bid

A former Victorian Liberal director is being backed to enter the Senate.

Former Victorian Liberal director Simon Frost. Picture: David Geraghty

Former Victorian Liberal director Simon Frost is being considered for the Senate amid party brawling over preselections exacerbated by the pandemic.

Mr Frost is most likely to be backed by Josh Frydenberg to contest the preselection amid manoeuvring over who will replace Senate president Scott Ryan, who will retire at the end of this term.

Several Liberals are expected to nominate for two winnable Liberal Senate positions, with Melbourne lawyer Roshena Campbell a possible candidate, while Greg Mirabella, husband of former federal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella, is planning to run.

Mr Frost is widely experienced and works for the Treasurer, but it is believed he would support Business Council of Australia executive director (policy) Jess Wilson if she were to nominate.

There is speculation that Senator Ryan could quit early, which his opponents believe would lead to the casual vacancy created by any departure being filled by an administrative committee vote.

If this were to happen, Ms Campbell, if she were to run, would probably win the position but there is no certainty of her contesting the Senate in the next round of preselections. And allies of Senator Ryan said he intended to ­remain in the Senate.

“These preselections will be done in an orderly fashion,” an MP supportive of Senator Ryan said.

The party is at war internally over two key matters: the timing of the next round of federal preselections, and the failure of party leaders to commit to democratic votes for choosing candidates.

Federal Liberal MPs have complained to Victorian president Robert Clark over plans to hold some preselections ahead of a looming redistribution. The awkward strategy could lead to some candidates chosen for seats that could be dramatically redrawn.

There is also criticism that the so-called Clark forces, which include supporters of state Liberal leader Michael O’Brien, are using the cover of the pandemic to retain control of the party because key party votes have been conducted centrally, rather than by a cross-section of party members through traditional voting forums.

This dynamic has been forced on the party because of COVID-19 restrictions preventing large ­numbers of people meeting in the one place.

The Australian understands that the Liberal Party has had genuine issues trying to work out how to conduct ballots.

However, opponents of the party leadership said the pandemic was being used as an excuse for the incumbent leaders to retain the numbers.

The near death of the virus in Victoria has placed growing pressure on Mr Clark to enable a ­return to party ballots.

One option is to allow smaller groups of people to meet and vote in separate rooms, or to segue into virtual elections, which have been done in other parts of the world.

Mr Mirabella told The Australian that he intended to run for the Senate.

“At this point I am inclined to do it,” he said.

Senator Sarah Henderson is likely to be elevated to the No 1 position. Both her position and Senator Ryan’s position expire on June 30, 2022.

This would leave the second Liberal position open for meaningful contest, party sources said.

A statewide ballot would favour Mr Frost, while an administrative committee vote would favour those loyal to Mr Clark’s forces.