Speculation she would be challenged at preselection for the first time since she was elected in 2001 due to her push to phase out live sheep exports has fizzled.

The NSW Liberal Party can’t officially confirm Ms Ley as the Farrer candidate, but The Border Mail has been told there was no other nomination before the 5pm deadline last Friday.

Labor has selected a candidate in Griffith’s Kieran Dabsch, but the biggest threat to Ms Ley could come from the Liberal Democrats who want the live sheep export trade to continue.

​Ms Ley’s decision to introduce a Private Members Bill into parliament last week with the backing of Liberal colleagues Sarah Henderson has created tensions within the party.

But the former health minister is not backing down and can also count on the support of Jason Wood and Warren Entsch within her own party.

“My strong view is this industry damages the reputation of not just our farming brand, but of good, high quality Australian sheep and lamb meat,” she said.

“I’m not counting votes at this stage, but what I can say is I have a lot of support among my colleagues.

“No one wants to make this political and while there has been discussion about crossing the floor, I actually want to see this as Liberal Party policy.

Independent Indi MP Cathy McGowan has given her strongest indication she would support the phasing out of live sheep exports.

“There are a lot of good things in Ms Ley’s Bill, but there are outstanding issues and in some areas it doesn’t go far enough,” she said.

“I support the government’s proposal to increase penalties against those found to have done the wrong thing and having inspectors on ships on ships during the transition period.

“This is very important.

“I don’t believe we have gone far enough in holding to account those responsible for compromising animal health in this trade.”