Kelly O’Dwyer protected from preselection challenge

Powerbrokers will protect the careers of several federal MPs including Kelly O’Dwyer despite speculation of organised hits.

Minister for Revenue Kelly O'Dwyer. Picture: AAP.

Victorian Liberal powerbrokers will protect the careers of several federal MPs including frontbencher Kelly O’Dwyer despite speculation about organised hits against lower house members.

State president Michael Kroger has made clear a long list of ``threatened’’ lower house MPs would not face organised challenges and were odds on to survive.

There has been speculation for months that Ms O’Dwyer — the Financial Services Minister — would be challenged by conservative Liberals but it has been unfounded.

Much of the speculation surfaced after the Turnbull government’s controversial superannuation reforms, which angered some Liberals in her seat of Higgins.

Challenges to a long list of other MPs also have been ruled out, sources said.

However, it remains uncertain what will happen in the Senate with senators Jane Hume and James Paterson facing likely challenges, with the method of electing senators exposing them to greater risk.

Mr Kroger has privately blamed Ms O’Dwyer and former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella for a recent challenge to his presidency but Ms O’Dwyer, sources said, did not overtly back the challenger Greg Hannan.

The Hannan candidacy fell vastly short of getting the required numbers and was not embraced by many in the moderate faction.

Victorian Liberal state president Michael Kroger. Picture: David Geraghty

Mr Kroger’s intervention has the backing of other senior members of the Victorian Liberal right.

There has been internal consternation about the rise of young powerbroker Marcus Bastiaan and what critics argue is the increase in religious influence in the party.

The Australian understands that elder statesmen in the party’s right have called for a more moderate approach to party reform and the use of power across party platforms.

The Bastiaan forces have alarmed a large number of sitting MPs because of the rapid rise in their numbers, making for more uncertain political futures.

While it is still possible that some MPs will face challenges from “outlier” candidates, sources said there would be no sanctioned hits ahead of the next federal election in the House of Representatives.

Minister for Revenue and Financial Services Kelly O'Dwyer, right, with Treasurer Scott Morrison. Picture: AAP