Premier Dominic Perrottet said he would welcome more women in the Liberal parliamentary party.Credit:Oscar Coleman
Poulos’ dumping came on the same day that Labor’s star candidate,former NRL Canberra Raiders playerTerry Campese,withdrew as the candidate for the regional seat Monaro after he was identified as having attended a risqué party while scantily clad.
Campese was seen as a strong chance to seize the seat from the Nationals. Labor has now lost four candidates ahead of the campaign,including high-profile Canterbury Bankstown mayor Khal Asfour.
Elliott - who was left without a seat after boundary redistributions meant he no longer had factional support - has been calling colleagues to seek their support.
One senior Liberal MP said Elliott was telling colleagues he would continue his role as “Liberal spear thrower” in the upper house,and has also argued that it would be appropriate for a man to take the spot because he would be replacing a man.
David Elliott has told colleagues a man should replace a man,and he would like to continue his role as a “Liberal spear thrower”.Credit:Nick Moir
Several senior NSW Liberals are backing outgoingHolsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons to replace Poulos after she lost her lower house preselection despite Premier Dominic Perrottet promising her a cabinet position.
Perrottet would not be drawn on his preferred pick on Sunday,although stressed that he wanted “to see more women put their hands up to run for the Liberal Party”. Liberal sources,not permitted to comment on preselections,said Perrottet did not want to intervene but would welcome Gibbons.