Packer backs PBL chief in Lib race

PBL Media executive David Coleman is emerging as the main challenger to frontrunner and left-wing candidate Paul Fletcher for this weekend's preselection showdown for the safe federal Liberal seat of Bradfield, on Sydney's north shore.

James Packer has written a glowing reference for Mr Coleman, who appears to be picking up support amid concerns that Mr Fletcher's closeness to the left-leaning Liberal sub-faction The Group may count against him when preferences are distributed.

Preselectors choosing the Liberal Party's replacement for Brendan Nelson in Bradfield have received Mr Packer's reference for Mr Coleman in the mail this week. In it Mr Packer describes Mr Coleman as "a person of very high intellect with a capacity to get to the heart of issues very quickly".

Mr Packer goes on: "I am sure David would be a very strong representative for the Liberal Party in Bradfield. I believe that it is imperative that the parliament has members with high-level business skills. David would clearly be a strong addition in this regard."

Mr Packer also charts the rapid rise of Mr Coleman's career at PBL over the past four years, noting "such progress is rare, and speaks to David's calibre".

Mr Packer caused a stir in 2003 when he joined Malcolm Turnbull's Point Piper branch as part of his push to oust then member for Wentworth and organiser for The Group, Peter King. At the time Mr Fletcher was a preselector supporting Mr King.

It is understood that is why Mr Turnbull is not backing Mr Fletcher's candidacy. However, because the contest is taking place in Dr Nelson's backyard, Mr Turnbull has avoided supporting any candidates.

The Australian understands that while Mr Fletcher is still the frontrunner, local delegates are concerned that neither he nor Mr Coleman hail from the area. Both were candidates for preselection in the southern Sydney seat of Cook ahead of the 2007 election.

References for candidates have come from far and wide.

Even Western Australia's Attorney-General, Christian Porter, has weighed into the contest, spruiking hard for author and business analyst Philip Senior.

"Simply put, Phil is an outstanding intellect. It pains me to recommend him for preselection to anything other than a seat in the WA parliament but he loves Sydney," he said.

The performance of candidates on the day of the contest will be crucial to the final outcome, with the local component of the vote likely to fracture across the 17 candidates in the race.

Executive director of the Menzies Research Centre, Julian Leeser, is winning significant local support, as is former opinion editor at The Australian, Tom Switzer, and former Nelson adviser Simon Berger, one of whom should make it to the final three.

A senior Liberal told The Australian: "It's hard to pick at the moment, so much will come down to the day, but Paul (Fletcher) is likely to come first but short of a majority. The question then becomes does David (Coleman) get into second. If he does he wins on preferences. If he doesn't, his preferences will get Paul over the line."