The Liberal party has launched a “teal-style” search beyond their own membership in a bid to find someone who could oust independent MP Zali Steggall from the former blue-ribbon seat of Warringah.
More than a year before an election could possibly be called, branch members were this week sent an email from the local federal electorate convention (FEC), asking for nominations from within the community – no matter their party status. This comes after federal leader Peter Dutton urged branches to begin their preselection processes.
“A preselection in Warringah is now imminent with nominations set to open – and close – within weeks,” the email read.
“Each of us has an obligation to ensure our party considers the best and broadest possible field of candidates.
“To encourage this, we are inviting members to express their interest, or identify possible candidates, for selection. These individuals may be party members or even Liberal-aligned people in the community.”
The FEC, led by Liberal operative Alex Dore, is hoping to preselect a candidate for the seat, on Sydney’s northern beaches, before November. The latest possible date that the Albanese government could choose to hold the election is in May 2025.
From within the Liberal stable, the controversial former candidate Katherine Deves has been floated as a chance to run again, as has barrister Jane Buncle, who withdrew her nomination ahead of the 2022 election. Neither responded to requests for comment on Thursday.
A senior Warringah Liberal member argued a “teal-style” scheme – to open the process for expressions of interest – this far out from the next polling day was being driven by “desperation” in a now “unwinnable” seat.
“They’ve gone from one extreme kneejerk to another,” they said.
“It’s problematic if it’s too early because people have jobs and other responsibilities. There is a sweet spot and this isn’t it.”
The local said many within the party underestimated the strength of Steggall, insisting “hubris and arrogance” were rife in the seat once held by the former prime minister Tony Abbott.
A preselection date is yet to be finalised but party seniors believed the state executive would endorse a date aligned with Dutton’s wish to have candidates in all winnable seats – other than Cook – by 31 October.
Multiple senior New South Wales Liberals say the party needed to avoid the “shambolic” preselection processes that affected Scott Morrison’s campaign in 2022, but that starting it this early was not in the party’s best interest. One described it as “prescriptive and heavy-handed”.
One senior Liberal claimed it would “drastically reduce the quality [of] people who would nominate”, while another said there was the chance the party “won’t get a superstar candidate”.
“But, the counter is being in the field for 12 or more months gives them an opportunity to doorknock and get them well-known in the community and run a grassroots campaign,” one Liberal said.
Another concern expressed about the early preselection process was that it might force candidates into revealing their stance on the voice, “which could have ramifications depending on the way the referendum goes”.
Some within the party believe the early preselection edict was part of a federal plot designed to see the NSW branch fail to meet deadlines, giving the national executive cover to mount a 2022-style intervention, handing Dutton more power.
While it appears likely the state executive will preselect most candidates in line with the timeframe, some want the party to settle on a third way – agreeing to preselection deadlines that would have candidates endorsed by June 2024.
“If we get the tip that Labor’s going running early, we can bring the timelines forward,” another senior Liberal said.
“Two years is a very long time to run a campaign.”
Preselection nominations closed this week for a number of key seats, with challengers for two of Scott Morrison’s allies, Alex Hawke and Melissa McIntosh, and two other senior federal Liberals – the deputy leader, Sussan Ley, and the manager of opposition business, Paul Fletcher.
