Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s peace deal blows up in ‘empty chair’ defeat

Gladys Berejiklian’s bid to land her Treasurer a seat has imploded tonight following an “empty chair” defeat.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s peace deal to get her Treasurer Dominic Perrottet a seat has blown up tonight with the man who stood aside for Mr Perrottet, Damien Tudehope, defeated by an “empty chair” 60-58 for an upper house spot.

With Labor on the ropes over the Luke Foley scandal, the NSW Liberals have found themselves in turmoil again with Centre Right powerbroker Alex Hawke and the state minister Mr Perrottet originally tried to roll for his seat or Castle Hill, Ray Williams, said to have voted against Mr Tudehope.

Damien Tudehope, centre.

Brokering a peace deal last month after Mr Perrottet controversially demanded to leave his seat of Hawkesbury, Ms Berejiklian had asked Mr Tudehope to move from his seat of Epping and give the seat to the Treasurer, in exchange for an upper house seat.

But last night Mr Tudehope failed to be endorsed even without an opponent. Liberal sources said they had no idea what would happen with the upper house seat next.

The bizarre preselection result comes after Tony Abbott nearly lost to an “empty chair” in his Warringah preselection earlier this year.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet.

Liberal sources said last night they would move to have Mr Tudehope endorsed by the party’s state executive and there may be a retaliation to stop mr Hawkes Centre Right ally Natasha McLaren Jones getting her upper house preselection.