Liberals court Warren Mundine for Gilmore seat

gilmoWarren Mundine is being courted by the Liberal Party to put his hand up for the marginal seat of Gilmore at the federal election.

Warren Mundine is a former chair of the Prime Minister’s indigenous advisory council and a former national president of the Labor Party. Picture: James Croucher

Warren Mundine is being courted by the highest parts of the Liberal Party to put his hand up for the marginal seat of Gilmore at the next federal election.

The Australian understands that in recent days a robopoll has gone out in the seat as to which Liberal candidate voters would be most likely to vote for: preselection candidate Grant Schultz, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Jemma Tribe or Mr Mundine.

Mr Mundine declined to comment today, but it is understood he is considering the offer.

Mr Mundine lives in Sydney but his family is from the south coast.

The Liberal Party holds Gilmore by just 0.7 per cent.

Mr Mundine is a former chair of the Prime Minister’s indigenous advisory council and a former national president of the Labor Party.

It is understood Prime Minister Scott Morrison is keen for Mr Mundine to run for the seat.

On Twitter, Mr Constance angrily denied in response to Labor staffer Bruce Hawker, that he was looking to run for Gilmore.

“Listen you old trout. Stop peddling your lies and spin. I’m running for Bega,” Mr Constance said.

“Things must really be getting desperate over at Sussex St.”

Mr Hawker, who is working in Opposition Leader Michael Daley’s office had tweeted: “Liberal Party robocalls tonight are asking voters who they want in the federal seat of Gilmore. One of the candidates is Andrew Constance. So, the Minister who has carried the can for [NSW Premier] Gladys Berejiklian for her stuff ups like the Light Rail is deserting the NSW Coalition.”