Federal Government
NELSON GONE NOW FOR WATERLOO: The Doctor’s revenge sets stage for bruising preselection struggle in Bradfield
The incredibly spiteful resignation of Dr Brendan Nelson will prompt a quick and dirty Liberal preselection fight before what could be a tricky by-election in the very safe blue-ribbon seat. His announcement is due to occur at 2pm today.
It is one of the safest seats in the Liberal orbit but a bad result could spell trouble for the leader who ousted Dr Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull. One of Turnbull’s confidants slammed Nelson over the “trouble-making” decision saying he had behaved like “Dr Evil”.
The decision brings into focus the previously low-level preselection skirmishing over the prize Liberal seat.
Strongly favoured candidates include master campaign tactician Simon Berger, an openly gay staffer for Nelson who enjoys the doctor’s strong endorsement. While Bradfield is said to be largely non-factional in its outlook, Berger is loosely associated with the Alex Hawke part of the Liberal Right, but the associations with most of these candidates and the dominant factions are very loose.
His principal opponent is policy wonk Julian Leeser, who is the executive director of the Menzies Research Centre, a Liberal funded thinktank. Leeser is also very highly regarded and would enjoy support from within the Hawke group. Interestingly, he once also worked for factionally Left Phil Ruddock so he maintains good relations across the usually warring NSW Liberal tribes. Regarded as a clever ideas man.
Also in that category is silky smooth Tom Switzer, the excellent former opinion editor at The Australian. Critics say his fondness for the ladies gets him into trouble, but that must surely have been long ago for the alpha male. He has the unique distinction of alienating both current leader Malcolm Turnbull and his nemesis Dr Nelson and has occasionally written things that left party colleagues with noses out of joint. The “Taliban Right” headed by patriot Noel McCoy and the forboding David Clarke are believed to be supporting him although they don’t really claim him as a member as such.
Other – less likely – possibilities include lawyer Mark Speakman, telco boss Paul Fletcher, local council figure Adrienne Ryan and ACP honcho and vexatious litigant David Coleman. All four would not expect much support from the powerful Liberal Right, except perhaps Speakman, the youngest ever appointed senior counsel in NSW, who enjoys respect from both and might emerge in the safe state seat of Vaucluse. Coleman’s decision to drag the party off to court over a previous preselection made him as popular as a bikini model in a Kabul coffee house, with warring patrons fighting for a chance to kill or commit unmentionables upon her.
Potential game-changer is former Howard Chief of Staff Arthur Sinodinos. Our sources believe he’s not interested in running and has told people so as late as today. If he were to emerge as a candidate, it is quite possible several of the other candidates would pull out in deference to the greatly respected figure. Some criticise the idea of Sinodinis running as a lurch back to the Howard era, although some might consider that it’s the certainty and toughness of Howard’s leadership that might give the Liberals a path back to power.
Discussion
43 comments for “NELSON GONE NOW FOR WATERLOO: The Doctor’s revenge sets stage for bruising preselection struggle in Bradfield”
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***EXCLUSIVE***
Exclusive news from the Ambition Faction.
Alex Hawke and Nick Campbell are up to their old tricks and have decided to stab Berger, Leeser, Switzer, Speakman, Fletcher, Coleman and even Sinodinos in the back in Bradfield. This move is reminiscent of a night out with their hired gun “Braveheart” Tobias Lehman.
Hawke has finally realised that none of those candidates are as malleable and weak as their number 1 puppet Scott Farlow.
Ladies and Gentlemen the game is up! The move to Five Dock, mornings spent sucking exhaust pipes on Victoria Road and reminiscing with his carpet bag about how he once drove through Drummoyne as a kid on the way to a long holiday (a bit like now but now you call it unemployment) was all just a ploy. The real goal is Bradfield.
Word has it that Fark-low will be moving to Killara within the week and will start talking about how he once held a Young Liberal Council at the Greengate to establish local credentials.
Hawke has told his number 1 puppet Fark-low that he needs him in Canberra to be his first backer for his tilt at the Leadership. Malcolm will soon find out like all the rest that Hawke is in it for himself. The man who turned his back on David Clarke who did his numbers and got him his seat will soon turn his back on Turnbull.
Fark-low is expected to get no votes in the preselection which happens to be the same tally he would get in drummoyne and the same vote that Hawke will be receiving in Mitchell next time round.
The AMBITION FACTION are upset Dr Nelson pulled the plug before they had time to rort the constitution and put in N40 preselections where they could do what they are good at and just do a deal with the Left.
Only problem for Farlow is that Hawke and Campbell are so inclined to screw people over that they will probably do him over and back some lefty like they did in Ryde.
Switzer should get the seat.
* He’s entertaing (unlike Farlow).
* He knows his sh*t (unlike Farlow).
* He knows how to deal with the media, having worked in various media organisations and at the Australian as an editor (Farlow – crappy videos with you waving your up and down like you’re constantly karate chopping a block of wood on youtube with Sasha and Fontana don’t count).
* He’s not fat (unlike Farlow)
* He’s had a variety of jobs in both politics, thinktanks and the media (unlike Farlow who is now on the dole).
* He worked as an assistant for the now retiring member for Bradfield Brendan Nelson so knows how politics works. (Farlow was recently sacked the shadow NSW Attorney General for spending all his time running stacks in the ALSF and NSW YL when he should have been working).
Switzer is the clear choice.
Switzer fan also sends his regards to Brendan, a fine politician and wishes him all the best for his career post-politics.
Either way it’s a poke in the eye for Turnbull. Brendan is a genius!
Leeser always struck me as a big-government conservative type. Please not him.
Switzer, on the other hand…
Actually, Switzer may be a bit of a lefty…
Watching him on Q&A and I have my doubts more than I thought I did.
Is every Journo from the Oz a Lib?
I hear that another Australian journalist is interested in the seat too.
There’s only one man for the job and that’s my main man, Noel ‘tough stuff’ McCoy.
Get on the freight train to victory people!
Switzer is useless. He’s not as bright as he makes out.
This lavish praise for Switzer is funny. If Switzer is the answer, then it must be a stupid question.
Berger is THE man.
Gee, hey, what about that JAke the Muss. I reckon he should be an MP.
Get on the fre…oh wait.
Switzer doesn’t actually make much sense in his writings. Leeser not bad, Berger is the best.
What about me? I could always move to NSW if pre-selected.
Yeah then Jake the Muss could take over as director of the IPA.
I….umm he could totally do it.
My political career turned out to be as successful as my marriages.
How about me?
Oh wait, I forgot Alex Hawke promised me Bennelong.
How about me?
Oh wait, Alex Hawke promised me Bennelong
Well well well … surprise surprise, the former ALP member turns out to completely screw the Libs over. Doesnt this teach us something about those who arent true to the Lib cause. Lets have no more Nelsons. Lets have no more people who were close to Nelson and advised him. In other words, NO ALAN TUDGE FOR ASTON – NO ALAN TUDGE FOR THE LIBERAL PARTY.
The Doctor’s decision will further ‘latex glove’ Malcolm Turnbull. Poor old Mal he’s having a full dental, via his back passage.
Who can forget Dr Michael Wooldridge, a real evildoer. I got into a lift at Nauru House with him and two Liberal stooges years ago. I grimaced and politely got out of the lift. If I had had presence of mind, I should have farted before leaving…
Mark Speakman is an old lefty hack from the Sutherland Shire. He can’t jump the harbour,
Those lovely boys can spend some time in my office when they are elected. I am sure there are some special lessons I can help them with and there is a small thing they can help me with too.
Ooohh, I am excited about having another special friend in Canberra, that is why I want Christian Kerr to run for Bradfield.
Watch this space. None of the front runners will get it.
Hawke wants it to be one of his.
Probably Andrew Jeffries.
Rod Knockles, are you going to go for Bradfield too? Go on, what’s five preselections going to hurt?
Good old Doc Wooldridge – always has a sweaty face with a strained expression like he has a severely impacted bowel.
- I’m fat.
- I’m unemployed.
- I’m Hawke’s puppet I give him BJ’s regularly.
- I had a failed bid for preselection in Drummoyne. When I found out I shut down the Iron cove bridge campaign.
- I’m fat.
- I got sacked by deloitte. I got sacked by greg smith.
- I’m a “young liberal heavyweight” because I’m fat.
- I was Penny’s second choice. she preferred Dave Bennett.
- I was a young liberal playa. Sasha, Abi, Amy and Cat were my ho’s.
- I had my wedding reception in a church hall. I made ppl bring their own food and alcohol.
- I’m gonna have a crack at bradfield.
the loyal servant of the party – (me). Reports that I am doing very well in becomming the next member for Wanon( how do you spell it?)
Those dumb pesky locals expect me to drive everywhere and meet them! i am of course too busy for this as I have to put my next nomination for the state upper house. You can never have too much practise!
I have been doing a good job on my naval career and telling how well I did working for the PM. No one is as good as me!
but after my 6 failed preselections I might consider another party!
It’s time for a massive shake-up in the Liberal Party. The only conservative capable of such is A. Belford Jones esquire. Think of the publicity and fundraising potential, not to mention the gay vote!
Yes stand by subjects – Wilson Tuckey, Philip Ruddock and myself will soon sieze control it will be called the Ménage à Trois Faction.
I am an anti-semite.
I sent those messages to Josh on a mate’s phone.
I am getting a vile vision of the trio above, maybe Ron Boswell could hold the camcorder.
Switzer is full of it. He was just married but hit up on every available female – no scruples that boy. The truth is there were discussions in Nelson’s office about sacking him he was that lazy.
I think Tom is great and have said so in my opinion column. Tom is a hunk. He’s right wing beefcake.
So what if he hit on every available female. It just shows that he’s friendly.
Let’s not forget that Tom’s advice actually led to the demise of Nelson.
Switzer has no political nous at all.
Switzer is a candidate for Arnie Governator’s Mini-Me, yes?
BERGER FOR BRADFIELD. Has been involved in the area for a long time. Best option for mine.
Simon, stop writing in support of yourself. You have achieved nothing – you are a politcal hack Go out into the real world and get a CV.
I feel that I am missing something with the Bradfield pre-selection, it all seems too straight forward, what are we missing? Who is the joker in the pack? Most of the candidates mentioned may get a fair bit of factional support but not necessarily any local branch votes. Adrienne Ryan is one candidate who is likely to get the support of a number of local branch members. She won’t be the prefered option for either faction but for many she will be the less worst option. Most often than not pre-selections are decided not on who people want but who they don’t want.
Even the Gay Right may end up voting for Ryan as a foil for certain other candidates.
Hawwwke and Farrrrrloww,
How are we doing with Berowra?
Remember our little deal? Chan gets Bennelong and I get Berowra. Simple as that.
If you renege on your promise prepare to feel the wrath that is Senator Malice Pain!!! Photios and I can’t wait to hear back from yoy.
Your favourite lefty,
Matt Kean.
Return the Party to its “broad Church” base. Why not bring back Jeremy Kinross (NSW Gordon) – ousted by O’Farrell (Ku-ring-gai,Leg Assembly)& the Group (Leg Council)way back in 1998 during a bitter & double cross pre-selection at which Charlie Lynn just ’scraped in’ & David Clarke lost.
Then Kinross ran for the Leg Council in a (casual)vacancy caused by the retirement of (former) Attorney-General John Hannaford – wow ! was that a triple cross betrayal(with pike) to allow Chikarovski to save face & have her ‘golden boy’ Greg Pearce (now Shadow Finance )emerge successful. He did – BUT not until the factions had to portray (on the 1st newly adopted format of Tony Staley & Lloyd Mills (Tony’s ‘appointed’ (Interim) State Director)’open table orgy’. All the factions then were into each other (hence the term ‘orgy’)- doing triple turns with pike ( & enough to make Matthew Mitcham envious)& bawdy ‘ol time that lasted some 10 hours !
Kinross (born & raised on the North Shore for > 35 years) left the area in 2001 to give Fatty O’Barrell clean air. Apparently, he was continually getting calls from Journo’s at home asking whether he was going to run again – & being the decent guy he was, he decided to leave. I should know – as I see him fairly regularly & know he still harbours that political interest , is very bright, a very decent guy & would make a good Leader, as John Howard was known to have said (& ‘backed’ – at one stage )!
Paul Fletcher for Bradfield!!!
We have our mole in the ambition faction Pennny G F nagging her chubby hubby Farrklow, and the rest of his “mainstream conservatives” to get on board in Bradfield. If he doesn’t support us, all his time dancing around like a fool at Victoria Rd, Drummmoyne will have just been a big waste of time.
It’s time to put the dark old days of John Howard’s conservatism and embrace the bright moderate future. Open borders, multiculturalism, ending the NT intervention and a big fat welfare state are just the kind of policies that will get our party ahead and help us woo voters away from the Greens Party.
Chriss Pyynne for PM!!!
Fletch for Bradfield!!!
He lost in Cook but what the heck we really need a lefty in a blue ribbon seat so we’ll push him again.
We have our lefty mole in the ambition faction Pennny G F nagging her chubby hubby Farrklow, and the rest of his “mainstream conservatives” to get on board in Bradfield. If he doesn’t get his fat arse behind us, all his time dancing around like a fool at Victoria Rd, Drummmoyne will have just been a big waste of time.
It’s time to put the dark old days of John Howard’s conservatism and embrace the bright moderate future. Legalised marajuana, multiculturalism, ending the NT intervention and a big fat welfare state are just the kind of policies that will get our party ahead and help us woo voters away from the Greens Party.
Yours in Labor,
Mattt Kean.