FARRER Nationals are plotting a highly speculative and potentially divisive challenge to sitting Liberal Sussan Ley at the next federal election.
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The Border Mail has obtained an email sent to party members in recent days from Farrer federal electorate council chairman Grant McMillan outlining an urgency to open nominations for preselection even though there is a strong chance the move will be scuttled at a higher level.
Mr McMillan declined to comment when contacted.
But the email in part said: “One of the challenges that the party is faced with when looking at potential three-cornered contests in non-held seats is the lack of potential Nationals’ candidates and preparation on the ground.
“I think we should at least open nominations quickly and see who might show interest going forward.
“If we do open nominations, this does not guarantee we will be running a candidate at the next election as it will be subject to negotiation of a Coalition agreement with the Liberal Party.”
The Nationals held Farrer until the 2001 election when former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer retired.
Liberal Ms Ley narrowly beat the Nationals candidate Bill Bott and has won every election battle since.
Long-time Nationals were incensed with the decision to not contest Albury.
Farrer Liberals FEC chairman Angus Macneil expressed surprise at the Nationals actions.
“I’m not aware of that, but they can’t officially do it,” he said.
“They might want to stand, particularly over the live sheep export thing, but my understanding of the Coalition agreement is you don’t stand against sitting members.
“They might try and rattle the sabres and get someone not endorsed by the National Party, but everyone would know it was a National Party person.
“Those things have happened before and I doubt they would win.”
Labor’s Mike Kelly is the sitting member.
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