Tony Abbott Pushes Ley To Continue NSW Liberal Clean-Up
Image: Tony Abbott / Facebook
Tony Abbott has demanded Opposition Leader Sussan Ley continue to push for a clean-up of the NSW Liberal Party, continuing the work of former leader Peter Dutton.
Dutton had been intervening in the party’s largest state division since September, when he and other party leaders authorised three party elders to seize control of the branch from members. The move was sparked by the party’s failure to nominate 140 candidates for 16 local council elections, exposed long-held worries about the state branch’s professionalism.
Abbott has said Ley needs to overcome factional infighting to side with party administrators and extend the intervention beyond June 30.
“It’s always important for the parliamentary leadership to be bigger than any faction,” Abbott told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“I just hope that the parliamentary leadership does not exert pressure to let the intervention lapse, as a payback for past favours.”
Abbott seeking to open party and attract new members
NSW moderates, led by Andrew Bragg and Maria Kovacic, oppose the intervention, wanting to maintain their influence in state contests over policy and choosing candidates. Alex Hawke, who now sits on Ley’s frontbench, is also sceptical.
The dispute is a proxy for broader tension that have emerged between moderates and conservatives, intensified in the recent shadow cabinet reshuffle that saw right-wingers Jacinta Nampijinpa Price demoted.
Meanwhile, Bragg and Hawke were both promoted.
Other moderates, including Chris Rath and Jason Falinski, argue the intervention is a power grab by conservatives, with the former saying administrators should “go back to Melbourne” following poor election results.
The former Prime Minister says the intervention will help open the party up and attract new members.
“Over the past few years, some 600 people have either been expelled or denied membership, some 5000 members have not renewed, and no new branches have been established since 2016,” he said.
“Essentially, the branches are closed shops, state council is an insiders’ club, and the party has been run by factional warlords for far too long.
“Everyone who normally votes Liberal, who is interested in public life and who wants to make a difference should be invited in and given the chance to debate policy and preselect candidates in rank and file ballots.
“If our country, and our state, is to get better government any time soon, our party needs to lift its game.”
Ley will meet with senior NSW party members next week before making her decision.
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