Bitter battle erupts within New South Wales Liberal Party over suddenly vacant Senate seat

But Treasurer Matt Keane, a key Munro supporter, said: Elliot parachuting into the Senate.

“What I want to see is a woman who fills that vacancy. It’s no secret. I’ve been campaigning on that front for a while.

Before joining Phelps, Munroe briefly worked for then-Prime Minister Gladys Berejiklian, but was spotted protesting at a rally led by the group wearing a “Keep Sydney Open” shirt. He reportedly left the office after

Phelps said Herald Munro only worked for her at the congressional level, not in the federal campaign.

While Munroe was ratified by moderates as the frontrunner for a Senate seat on Sunday, the move sparked a rebellion Monday among parts of the party’s base at the urging of Keane and former Congressman Trent Zimmerman. .

A senior Liberal Party source, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Munro was considered a polarizing figure and could draw support from the party’s rights or even from her own moderate factions. is considered to be low.

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Chapter members on Monday were frustrated that Munroe was not consulted before he was anointed before the other candidates.

One party member warned that Munro would withdraw from the campaign if pre-selected.

“If Jackie Munroe is pre-selected for this dastardly, cloak and dagger move, I will down the tools and no longer participate in the campaign to re-elect the Coalition in NSW,” a party member said in a Facebook post. said in

Members expected to receive ballots on Monday, but nothing had been sent by evening, said a member of the party. Herald He said he could not see the outcome of Munro getting the numbers he needed and suggested further talks.

Former Young Liberal leader Day Woo and outgoing Holsworthy MP Melanie Gibbons have also emerged as potential replacements.

Some senior liberals have noted that Keen had an opportunity to endorse a female candidate in 2021, and he used his numbers to back Puros’ bid for the Legislative Council.

Munroe has been reached for comment.

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