There is talk of an exodus of local Liberal Party members as fury mounts in Gilmore over the state executive stalling on signing off on Grant Schultz’s nomination to stand in the upcoming federal election.
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Party members are concerned Mr Schultz, who overwhelmingly won the preselection ballot in December, will be replaced by either Ann Sudmalis, who announced her retirement last year, or her longstanding political mentor and housemate Joanna Gash.
“If either Jo or Ann are imposed on us as the candidate, there will be no one out campaigning for them. There will be no one on the polling booths,” said one party member, on the condition of anonymity. Another member said people had indicated they would rather help out in other electorates than support any campaign of Mrs Sudmalis or Mrs Gash.
Last week a number of party members wrote to NSW Liberal Party state director Chris Stone, demanding to know why the state executive had not signed off on Mr Schultz’s preselection.
If either Jo or Ann are imposed on us as the candidate, there will be no one out campaigning for them.
- Liberal Party source
Mr Schultz said he looked forward to the matter being resolved.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison spent his Christmas holiday in the electorate, staying at Shoalhaven Heads.
A Sydney Morning Herald article published on Tuesday referred to speculation among senior Liberals that Mr Morrison was trying to oust Mr Schultz and reinstall Mrs Sudmalis. It said the retiring MP did not rule out such a move but that no discussions had taken place.
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While Liberal Party members are bound by party rules not to speak publicly about internal party matters, Labor candidate Fiona Phillips was happy to comment.
“I don’t think anyone would claim to know what’s going on in the Liberal Party, not even the members of the party,” she said.
“I just think they’re in chaos.
“I don’t think they care about voters, they’re only interested in themselves. You see it nationally and you see it locally.”
Mrs Phillips, who in March will have been endorsed for two years and last week opened her campaign office in Nowra, described the situation as “bizarre”.
“They should resolve it. It’s not fair for the people of Gilmore.”
Mrs Sudmalis and Mrs Gash have been approached for comment.