A embattled Scott Morrison has threatened federal intervention to secure the preselections of two cabinet ministers and a senior MP.
Scott Morrison has threatened federal intervention to secure the preselections of two of his cabinet ministers and a senior MP, unless NSW party operatives who are defying him in his home state drop their “factional rubbish”.
“The federal election is now imminent and there is very little time for normal preselection processes to occur and the ability for candidates to effectively campaign is severely impeded,” said the motion presented by former federal minister and NSW Liberal Party president Phillip Ruddock.in a text message.An internal battle inside the party’s largest division, just months from the election, while lagging in the polls has exasperated the Prime Minister.
Mr Morrison does not want any of the trio rolled and will demand the federal executive endorse all three if need be. The executive can intervene under limited circumstances, one of which is the “existence of circumstances that the Federal Executive think substantially prejudice the ability of the party to effectively contest or win a federal election”.
The impasse has resulted in several seats still being without candidates despite the election being due in May. These include Dobell on the Central Coast, and Warringah on the northern beaches which independent Zali Steggall won from Tony Abbott in 2019.former NSW premiers Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian, the likely candidate was local barrister Jane Buncle. But she has walked away out of frustration with the impasse.
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