‘Nothing further’ from Kerryn Phelps on her candidacy for Wentworth

Potential independent Kerryn Phelps is keeping her powder dry in the race for Wentworth.

Potential independent candidate Kerryn Phelps at Double Bay. Picture: Chris Pavlich

Potential independent Kerryn Phelps is keeping her powder dry in the race for Wentworth, refusing to be drawn on whether she would run for the seat.

Contacted by text message about the prospects of her running against the Liberal Party for the seat at the October by-election ­following the resignation of former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull from parliament, Dr Phelps said: “Nothing further to report. Still watching the situation closely.”

Sydney state MP Alex ­Greenwich has already ruled out running.

Peter King, the sitting member for Wentworth when he was ousted by Mr Turnbull to be the Liberal candidate for the seat in 2004 and who then ran unsuccessfully against him as an independent, said last night he was considering nominating for Liberal preselection, with positions in that race closing on Monday.

However, the two Liberal preselection frontrunners are the former Australian ambassador to Israel, Dave Sharma — who is facing criticism that he lives outside the electorate — and the president of the Paddington branch of the party, Andrew Bragg, who recently worked for the Business Council of Australia and ran the “Yes” Liberal campaign on same-sex marriage.

It is understood Mr Bragg has moved to favouritism, as 70 per cent of the vote is local and he has the best local numbers.

The moderates faction is expected to back Mr Sharma.

Mr Bragg would be expected to get a reference from Mr Turnbull for the preselection as he has previously been close to him.

Mr Turnbull is this weekend heading to New York, where he and wife Lucy own an apartment, for a six-week stay and it is unclear whether he will be back in time to campaign in the by-election — or whether he wants to.

An endorsement from the former prime minister could be critical to the Liberal Party retaining the seat, allowing Scott Morrison to keep his majority of one in the federal parliament.

Recent internal party polling had the Liberals dropping in primary vote from 62 per cent to 42 per cent, suggesting it was in line for a tight victory in the seat.

Australia Institute polling had the Coalition locked 50-50 for the seat with a primary vote at 39 per cent.

The Liberal Party holds the seat by 17 per cent.

Labor has preselected local businessman Tim Murray.