Scott Morrison defends intervening in NSW Liberal pre-selections

·

Australian Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, has had a significant victory in a long-running internal Liberal stoush over NSW pre-selections, after a court challenge against the legitimacy of his hand-picked candidates was dismissed.

The NSW Court of Appeal on Monday dismissed a claim that pre-selections of 12 Liberal candidates by the Prime Minister, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and former president of the federal Liberal Party, Christine McDiven, were invalid. 

ABC News reports that the case centred on a decision made late last month by the Liberal Party’s federal executive to appoint Mr Morrison, Mr Perrottet and Ms McDiven to pick candidates.

Initially, the three-person committee endorsed only sitting MPs Sussan Ley, Alex Hawke and Trent Zimmerman in the seats of Farrer, Mitchell and North Sydney respectively.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke is a close ally of the PM. Photo: ABC News / Adam Kennedy.

READ MORE: Liberals try to force Alex Hawke MP to end impasse over election candidates.

However, on Saturday, nine other candidates were pre-selected hours before the committee’s term was due to expire.

On Tuesday, the court ruled this process was valid and Mr Morrison later defended his decision to intervene in the NSW pre-selections.

In an interview with ABC 7.30, Mr Morrison said he made the controversial decision to intervene because he is “very serious about having great women” in his ranks.

READ MORE: NSW Liberals to take Alex Hawke MP to the Supreme Court.

Scott Morrison defended his decision to intervene in the NSW pre-selections.

Mr Morrison said he was concerned the futures of Environment Minister Sussan Ley and the member for Reid, Fiona Martin, were under threat from “factions.”

“I’m asked all the time, ‘Why wouldn’t the Prime Minister do more about getting good women in Parliament and stand up for the women in Parliament?'” he said.

“So, I stood up for the women in my team… That was what the principal reason was and people know that.”

Mr Morrison is expected to fire the starting gun for the election campaign in the coming days and Australians will go to the polls in mid-May.

Source: ABC News.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Step into the world of mental health with Georgia Cassimatis’ latest book

Greek Australian author and journalist, Georgia Cassimatis, has released a book all about exploring the world of mental health.

GOCNSW Welfare Service to put a spotlight on cyber security awareness

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW’s (GOCNSW) Welfare Service has organised three Cyber Security Awareness education and training workshops.

Marriage of a Greek woman abroad: What to watch out for

It is during this registration process that numerous problems arise, which are not dealt with immediately but later on.

Athena Competition Greek winners show olive oil diversity

By Lisa Radinovsky from Greek Liquid Gold. At the 10th anniversary edition of the ATHENA International Olive Oil Competition in Chania, Crete, Greece in May, 175 Greek olive oils...

Greece’s island communities face population crisis

The demographic decline in Greece is hitting its islands hard, with Lemnos and Agios Efstratios showing alarming signs of aging populations.

You May Also Like

Tributes flow for the late esteemed photographer Kostas Papakonstantinou

Melbourne's Greek community is in mourning following the passing of Kostas Papakonstantinou, a cherished figure.

50 years of Doltone House: an ode to the migrant success story

The Doltone House family celebrated 50 Year's last week - at their first venue in Sylvania Waters. An official plaque commemorating this extraordinary achievement...

Stefanos Tsitsipas into Cincinnati Masters quarter-final

Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the quarter-final of the Cincinnati Masters after defeating Filip Krajinovic in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.