Opposition Leader Peter Dutton could face another byelection in a matter of months with expectations growing that former prime minister Scott Morrison will quit politics, while three senate preselection battles are also looming
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That decision sparked the resignation of former Liberal cabinet minister Ken Wyatt, condemnation from Indigenous leaders and caused disquiet in the opposition party room. Another MP, who is close to Morrison, said they expected the former prime minister to be in parliament for the budget but gone by the end of the year, once he had figured out what he was called to do next.
The two leading candidates to replace Morrison in Cook are former NSW attorney-general Mark Speakman, who is currently a contender for leadership of the state opposition, and Carmelo Pesce, who is mayor of the Sutherland shire, which takes in parts of the federal seats of Cook and Hughes. Maverick Queensland LNP senator Gerard Rennick is also facing an uphill battle to hang on to a winnable senate seat, with moderate and conservative forces marshalling to punt him to the unwinnable fifth spot on the ticket.
Senators Jane Hume and James Paterson will retain the top two spots on the ticket and several of his Victorian colleagues said it was almost certain Van would be challenged with preselection expected to take place at the end of 2023 or early 2024.
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