We have been told Kiama MP Gareth Ward is eyeing off a move to Canberra - a scenario floated by Whitlam MP Stephen Jones. Likewise, we’ve heard Adam Straney, who in Sunday’s vote deposed longstanding FEC president John Bennett, is tipped to grab the candidacy. 

Those trafficking the rumours  probably need to take a cold shower for the following reasons.

First, nominations for preselection closed some time ago. There is just one challenger, Milton businessman Grant Schultz. Mr Straney decided against making a run after the intervention of former PM Malcolm Turnbull.

Second, Scott Morrison has already thrown his support behind Mrs Sudmalis. That was while he was Treasurer. Now PM, and facing public consternation after the widely respected former former minister Julie Bishop departed cabinet, Mr Morrison is unlikely to withdraw that support. To do so would draw more fire about the widely perceived Liberal Party boys’ club that oversaw last week’s political bloodbath in Canberra.

Third, the party’s state executive has always been reluctant to remove a sitting MP. In fact, according to party insiders, the executive is more likely to intervene to keep Mrs Sudmalis as the candidate in the event she is defeated for preselection by Grant Schultz.

Gilmore has an interesting history when it comes to Liberal preselection. In the lead-up to the 1996 election when Bill Eddy defeated Joanna Gash for preselection the party executive, at the behest of John Howard and Senator Bill Heffernan, overruled the result.  

Fourth, Gareth Ward is a highly successful state MP who would be unlikely to risk a move to the opposition benches in Canberra. Judging by opinion polls in the wake of the leadership turmoil, this is the likely outcome of the next federal election. (Mind you, that can change in a heartbeat should Labor once again demonstrate its ability to seize defeat from the jaws of victory.)

If anything, the local ructions in the Liberal Party are likely to work in Mrs Sudmalis’s favour. One party source, who is no ally of the MP, said the victim card would likely be played after the FEC coup. 

“Sudmalis will be portrayed as the victim to preselectors,” the source said.

“It will become a national issue is she is defeated at preselection.” 

The party finds itself between a rock and a hard place. It can hold the line and continue to back the incumbent with her razor-thin margin, risking losing the seat. Or it can risk further accusations of being a boys’ club by allowing Mrs Sudmalis to be rolled. that would be an appalling look, especially after the loss of Julie Bishop and on Wednesday Julia Banks, who is quitting parliament because of the bullying and intimidation she says characterised the leadership spill in Canberra.

Despite the shrill reaction by Mrs Sudmalis and later Joanna Gash to Sunday’s FEC spill, the reality is it will have little bearing on the Gilmore MP’s election campaign.

While the FEC is charged with helping the federal member keep her seat, Mrs Sudmalis is free to set up her own campaign committee with party members of her own choosing.

What might make a difference is Mrs Sudmalis’s unfortunate outburst on Sunday. Yelling at those who man your booths and raise funds is no way to win support.