Sussan Ley preselection rival takes swipe at “unprecedented act”

Christian Ellis wanted to take on Farrer MP Sussan Ley at preselection, but has been denied the chance. Find out what he told supporters of the decision.

The man who wanted to topple Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley in a Farrer preselection shootout has expressed his frustration with the drawn out saga.

Deniliquin-based Christian Ellis’ chances of deposing the senior Liberal MP evaporated last Friday when the party’s federal division intervened in the long-running factional battle in NSW.

The intervention resulted in Ms Ley, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke and North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman escaping branch member votes less than 100 days before the election.

Preselection candidates are prohibited from speaking publicly about internal party matters.

But in an email obtained by The Weekly Times, Mr Ellis told supporters it was an “unprecedented act” by the federal division.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and other Liberal Party’s federal executive members intervened in a NSW preselection saga last week which guarantees Farrer MP Sussan Ley won’t have to face a branch member vote. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“In this case, the Prime Minister (Scott Morrison) and his representative have deliberately stalled the process in order to create an emergency,” he said.

“My choice to nominate to become the Liberal candidate for Farrer was fundamentally down to a lack of advocacy from our current member.

“This electorate has great promise and opportunity, but needs a strong candidate fighting for Farrer to unlock it.

“For too long I think Farrer has been a seat where its local member has communicated the government’s agenda, needs and wants to the electorate.

“This seat needs someone who will communicate the electorate’s agenda, needs and wants to the government.

“For this community, they don’t want ‘listening sessions’ on issues relating to the border closure, health funding or the water issue, they want action.

“Farrer should have received more health funding, the Albury hospital issue should have been dealt with, border support should have been provided to all these local businesses smashed by decisions made by the Victorian Government, and there needs to be a pathway forward on reforming our water management because it is not working.”

Mr Ellis, a hard line conservative, is originally from Sydney and formerly worked for NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.

Ms Ley was expected to be officially endorsed as the Farrer candidate on Tuesday.