Bennelong by-election: Liberal polling points to a win

The Liberals have moved further in front in the Bennelong by-election, the party’s internal polling shows.

Liberal candidate for Bennelong John Alexander. Picture: AAP

The Liberal Party is in front in ­internal polling in the Bennelong by-election, with its stocks lifting even further in the seat at the weekend, party sources say.

Internal polling is understood to show Liberal candidate John Alexander ahead by about 54-46 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis, up a point from polling a week earlier, in the race for the seat against former Labor premier Kristina Keneally.

The Liberal campaign is taking nothing for granted but the leaked polling results appear to reflect comments federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten made to his caucus yesterday in a bid to manage expectations when he said the party was “behind in Bennelong” despite a candidate with a “great story to tell”.

Labor needs a 9.5 per cent swing to wrest the seat from former tennis great Mr Alexander, a result which would see Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull lose his majority in parliament and put his leadership in doubt.

Federal Liberal Party president Nick Greiner yesterday circulated a letter to party members asking them to kick in funds for the by-election fight.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, victorious from his New England by-election win last weekend, is understood to have offered to campaign in the seat and former prime minister and local member John Howard is expected to campaign with Mr Alexander in the last week of the campaign.

The Greiner email circulated yesterday said: “On December 16, we are in for a very big fight.

“Labor is throwing everything at this by-election. They are backed by big unions, with big warchests, just itching to wield influence in a Labor government. If Labor wins the Bennelong by-election, Bill Shorten will be dangerously close to becoming prime minister. That would mean more boats, taxes, debt, strikes and unemployment.

“Despite what you might hear in the media, your government is getting results. Australia’s economy is now generating around 1000 new jobs per day. We’re backing small businesses with tax cuts, standing up to union lawlessness, securing more reliable and affordable energy and repairing Labor’s budget mess.

“The last thing Bennelong or Australia needs is a failed former premier, Kristina Keneally, bringing Labor one step closer to government.

“John Alexander has been a hardworking, well-respected local member. Can you support him, by making a donation?

“We must back JA, so he can remain a strong representative in a Liberal government.”