Moderate NSW Liberal endorse ex-minister Don Harwin for state presidency
The NSW Liberals’ large and influential moderate faction has endorsed former minister Don Harwin for the state party presidency with incumbent Jason Falinski set to stand down.
NSW Liberals’ influential moderate faction has endorsed former minister Don Harwin for the state party presidency, with incumbent Jason Falinski set to stand down.
The endorsement of Mr Harwin from the moderate faction, which includes state party leader Mark Speakman, former treasurer Matt Kean and state party deputy Natalie Ward, places the former NSW arts and energy minister as a presumptive early frontrunner – given the wing’s large voting base.
Liberal Party sources confirmed that the moderate faction had met on Tuesday night and Mr Harwin’s endorsement had been rubber-stamped.
Reports earlier this week said former NSW trade and sports minister Stuart Ayres – who left state cabinet after the attempted appointment of John Barilaro to a New York trade job – was considering a run. But sources from the moderate camp said reports of his candidacy “had no truth at all”.
A senior Liberal source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Mr Harwin had the “credentials and experience”.
“If there’s any one that understands elections, redistributions and the more cerebral side of head office and the presidency, it’s Don,” the source said. “And if there’s anyone who could argue against federal intervention (in the state party), it’s also Don.”
Another senior source from the moderate faction said Mr Harwin, “unlike some predecessors”, wouldn’t use the role to re-enter, nor have one eye on, state or federal parliament.
“There’d be no conflict with Don – he wouldn’t try and come back to party politics, he’d focus on the party, and winning the next state and federal elections,” that source said.
Mr Falinski confirmed he would not nominate for re-election when his term expired and would instead focus on his business.
Media eports have long suggested the former MP could make a tilt at recontesting the northern beaches federal seat of Mackellar, after he was ousted from parliament in 2022 by teal Sophie Scamps.
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