For the second election in a row, a Deniliquin-based Liberal member will attempt to win pre-selection from the long time local member and now deputy Liberal leader.
Jean Haynes has resigned her role on the NSW Liberal executive member to formally nominate for pre-selection.
But she may not get her chance, with reports that the Farrer Federal Election Council has moved to expel her from the party.
Mrs Haynes was unable to comment when contacted by the Pastoral Times
It is believed she came to the region in 2016, and was initially based in Moama before moving to Deniliquin.
At the last election it was Deniliquin-based Christian Ellis who attempted to overthrow Ms Ley as the Liberals’ Farrer candidate.
But thanks to intervention from then Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Ms Ley was endorsed before a pre-selection vote.
Mr Ellis has since been allegedly linked to a suspected branch-stacking operation, which is the subject of an inquiry that started in December.
It was prompted after state Liberal MP Ray Williams used parliamentary privilege to allege senior party members were paid to install developer-friendly councillors onto The Hills Shire Council in Sydney.
In an email sent to the Liberal Party executive, and reported on by national media outlets, Ms Haynes said she made the decision to nominate for pre-selection after “much reflection and consultation with my family”.
“It has been a privilege to take part in the governance of the party and I’ve learned a great deal in the process,” she wrote.
“I have particularly valued the opportunity to work with you during an election campaign and to understand the challenges and pressures that entails.
“I’m leaving wiser for the advice provided and richer for the friendships gained.
“My desire (is) to continue to see the development of the party in the southwest of our state, my home region.”
Farrer is one of few Liberal electorates where the incumbent in being challenged for pre-selection.
Appearing on Sunday’s Insiders program on the ABC, Ms Ley conceded with presenter David Speers that it was “a bit unusual”.
But she said she stands by her record of serving the Farrer district since 2001.
“But what I’m fighting for is the people that I meet every day.
“Like when I hear that more than 50 per cent of Australians if they got an unexpected bill today would not be able to pay.
“That’s what gets me up and that is what drives me.
“Rank and file preselections absolutely should have their place and if I go through that, I’ll go through that.
“I can’t talk about the details of it because the party rules prevent me.”
Mr Speers queried Ms Ley on whether there would be intervention from now Liberal leader Peter Dutton and pushed her on whether she has his support.
Her response was “absolutely”, but she stopped short of answering whether she needs or wants it.
“I’m very happy to put myself forward on my record as the Liberal member of my seat of Farrer for 22 years,” she said.
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