We had a branch meeting last night and when the matter of asking you if you would be interested in talking to us about standing for pre-selection was mentioned this suggestion was received favourably.
- Lloyd Deane
Click on Lloyd Deane's full letter here: http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/2868102/dear-campbell/?cs=11
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Former secretary of the Wodonga Liberal Party branch Lloyd Deane has written to Mr Newman after raising the matter at a branch meeting this week.
Mr Newman was the major casualty in last weekend’s Queensland election when he lost his seat of Ashgrove and the LNP is facing defeat.
The letter’s existence was a hot topic at the Nationals’ gathering in Wodonga this week where its leader Warren Truss confirmed his party would be targeting Indi at the next federal election.
The local branch has not endorsed Mr Deane’s actions, but he said his motivation was ensuring the party had the best chance of reclaiming Indi, which was lost to independent Cathy McGowan.
“Every Liberal Party member has got a responsibility to attract as much talent so the people of Indi have a high-quality candidate,” Mr Deane said.
“It is just like a footy team.
“You’ve got to recruit talent if you want success.
“If the Liberals don’t win the seat at the next election who knows when we will?”
Branch president Craig Mundy said he was comfortable with Mr Deane’s approach. “It is not a branch-endorsed letter,” Mr Mundy said.
“It is the idea of Lloyd and rightly so.
“We actively encourage members to think proactively in ways they think is going to help the party.”
Attempts to contact Mr Newman for comment yesterday were unsuccessful.
The Border Mail has obtained an edited copy of the letter sent by Mr Deane, who hoped Mr Newman would be interested in talking to the local branch about reversing his decision to quit politics and stand for pre-selection in Indi.
The original letter outlined a financial “war chest” available to the Liberal candidate to win back Indi.
“We ask you to consider the matter and to check out the electorate and all relevant matters,” Mr Deane wrote.
“One thing I feel is relevant is that 10 per cent of Australia’s army is stationed at Bandiana-Bonegilla and with your background they would love you as their representative.”
Mr Newman was raised in Tasmania where his parents, Kevin and Jocelyn, were both parliamentarians. He joined the army and rose to the rank of major.
