Nats tried to recruit ex-MP Kay Hulls for disgraced Maguire’s seat

The Nationals made an impassioned plea to former federal MP Kay Hull for her to run at the Wagga Wagga by-election.

Former federal Riverina MP Kay Hull.

The Nationals made a plea to former federal Riverina MP Kay Hull for her to run at the Wagga Wagga by-­election after internal polling found she would attract more than 50 per cent of the ­primary vote were she to contest the seat.

It is understood Premier Gladys Berejiklian was on board with the Nationals running for the seat, were Ms Hull to run, but the former member for Riverina could not be convinced.

Generic polling by the Nationals — without naming a candidate — had Labor, the Liberals and Nationals all in the 20s in a potential three-cornered contest and would have seen Labor in with a sneaky chance of winning the seat on preferences.

However, a deal has been done to allow a Liberal candidate to run in the contest to replace disgraced Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.

The by-election, expected next month, is important for Ms Berejik­lian, who could be forced into a minority-government situation if she were to lose seven seats at the state election in March.

Some ministers are nervous about a Wagga Wagga by-election loss, which could reduce that buffer to six seats.

The Labor Party needs a 13 per cent swing to take the seat.

One Liberal said the party expected to win but “we will have to put our shoulder to the wheel”.

The Australian has revealed that 11 days after Ms Berejiklian announced the incumbent Mr Maguire would be resigning after admitting to the Independent Commission Against Corruption that he sought secret commissions from a developer, he is yet to formally tender his resignation.

With parliament resuming on Tuesday, Mr Maguire has an opportunity to collect his salary of $165,066 plus electorate allowance — or $3174 a week — right up until then, despite the Premier having a press conference on July 21 to say he was going.

It is understood the Ms Berejiklian wants a short, sharp campaign once Mr Maguire finally does resign.

Ms Hull was the member for Riverina for the Nationals from 1998 to 2010.