Brendan Blomeley’s expulsion from the Liberal Party is causing ‘internal and external damage’

The turmoil in the Liberal Party has taken another turn with Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley warning of the “internal and external damage being inflicted” on the party. Details.

BUSH SUMMIT, Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

The turmoil in the Liberal Party has taken another turn with Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley warning of the “internal and external damage being inflicted” on the party in the wake of his expulsion.

In an email sent to members on Saturday morning, Mr Blomeley said the state president Michael McKenna had not acknowledged correspondence sent to him after a meeting of 85 Liberal Party members unanimously backed him as chair of the Franklin electorate committee.

The meeting on Thursday night carried a motion calling on Mr McKenna to reinstate Mr Blomeley by 5pm on Friday or the motion would become a no-confidence motion in the president.

Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley at Richmond. Picture: Chris Kidd

“While the Party faithful are treated with such disdain the mantra of ‘membership empowerment’ by the President rings exceptionally hollow,” Mr Blomeley said in his email.

“To treat so many hardworking and dedicated Liberals so disrespectfully is another sad example of the disregard and contempt shown for the membership.

“Acknowledgment, as a minimum, would at least indicate a degree of courtesy and respect. Not even that was received.

“The internal and external damage being inflicted on our Party are the very foreseeable consequences of the President’s ham-fisted and unconstitutional actions which will have long-term ramifications unless immediately overturned.”

Mr Blomeley said Franklin members were not alone in expressing “disbelief and disgust at the President’s unconstitutional actions” with other branches and electorates preparing similar motions.

“Many of our fellow members realise if it can happen to me, it can happen to each and everyone of us in the Party,” he said.

“While I am the subject of this issue the principle at stake is a lot bigger than one person.”

Liberal Party state director Peter Coulson said the party does not comment on internal party matters.

It is understood some in the party heirarchy want Mr Blomeley to reapply for party membership.

Deadline passes to overturn expulsion

The Liberal Party is remaining tight-lipped about whether it will overturn its decision to expel Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley after a special meeting of 85 members unanimously supported him.

Party state director Peter Coulson said: “The Liberal Party does not comment on internal matters.”

A motion was carried at the meeting on Thursday night calling on party president Michael McKenna to reinstate Mr Blomeley as a member and chair of the Franklin electorate committee by 5pm Friday.

Members said they would declare “no confidence in the President unless he withdraws his interpretation of the constitution which saw the expulsion of Mr Blomeley, by close of business (5pm) tomorrow (12th April 2024)”.

The deadline passed with no word on whether Mr Blomeley had been reinstated.

It is believed the party’s state executive met last week and backed president Michael McKenna’s decision on Mr Blomeley.

In an email to Franklin members after Thursday’s meeting, which went for just over an hour, Mr Blomeley said he was pleased with the support shown by members, including those from other electorates.

“Simply put, the State President’s unsustainable position of purportedly expelling me is vehemently opposed by our membership,” he wrote.

“It was patently clear this evening that the membership has spoken, and we will not allow this matter to rest.

“Commonsense must prevail and my ongoing membership confirmed.”

The party ceased Mr Blomeley’s membership because of comments he made to the media where he did not rule out running as an independent at the state election.

After his expulsion Mr McKenna emailed members saying: “I acknowledge that Mr Blomeley has been a long-time servant of the Party, and it is important to note that under Clause 33 b) he may at any time apply to the State Executive to re-join the Party.”

At Thursday night’s meeting the motion expressed full confidence in Mr Blomeley, a party member for more than 30 years, and rejected his expulsion.

The motion said at “no time” did he “announce” a nomination and that an “automatic expulsion is of immediate effect and cannot be deferred and then backdated”.

It noted that the Liberals “suffered a massive loss” of more than 12 per cent of its primary vote at the March election.

The motion was moved by Don Cusick and seconded by Kingborough councillor Aldo Antolli.

Labor MLC Luke Edmunds said Premier Jeremy Rockliff had been “done over” by a large group in the party.