NSW Liberal Party MP Melanie Gibbons set to battle Craig Kelly in Hughes

The Perrottet government faces the likelihood of a fourth by-election with Melanie Gibbons planning to run for Hughes.

NSW Liberal Party MP Melanie Gibbons. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The Perrottet government is facing the likelihood of a fourth by-election following an announcement from Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons that she plans to exit parliament to run for the federal seat of Hughes.

Ms Gibbons, who entered parliament in 2011, issued a statement on Wednesday saying she will stand for Liberal preselection to contest the seat against sitting MP Craig Kelly, an independent, in the upcoming federal election.

Federal member for Hughes Craig Kelly. Picture: Getty Images

“I love my community, but for some time it has been let down by Craig Kelly. It needs and deserves better representation,” she said.

“The seat of Hughes needs someone ethical, who listens and responds to them; someone who can serve them and give them a strong voice within a Liberal government.”

Mr Kelly, formerly a Liberal MP, resigned from the Morrison government in February to sit on the crossbench.

Ms Gibbons said she would continue to serve in the seat of Holsworthy “until I am required to resign for the federal election, whenever that is called”.

The announcement sets up a fourth by-election for NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian a fortnight ago.

Ms Berejiklian’s seat of Willoughby will be contested along with former deputy premier John Barilaro’s seat of Monaro. Former transport minister Andrew Constance is also quitting parliament to contest the federal seat of Gilmore.

More to come