Ann Sudmalis avoids preselection battle after Malcolm Turnbull’s intervention

Malcolm Turnbull has intervened in a brewing preselection battle faced by marginal seat incumbent Ann Sudmalis.

The federal member for Gilmore, Ann Sudmalis. Picture: AAP

Ann Sudmalis will be preselected as the Liberal candidate for the marginal seat of Gilmore after an intervention by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

NSW state Kiama MP Gareth Ward was contacted by moderates faction leader Trent Zimmerman, urging him to get his numbers behind Ms Sudmalis, who had been the subject of a looming preselection challenge from local real estate agent Grant Schultz, the son of former federal MP for Hume Alby Schultz.

Mr Ward, who has previously been touted as a likely challenger for the seat himself, has pledged to put his support behind Ms Sudmalis, who holds the NSW south coast seat by 3.8 per cent.

Treasurer Scott Morrison recently put his support behind Ms Sudmalis, saying without her, the Coalition would not have won the 2016 federal election.