The Vic Libs are set to have big fight about for the Presidency after the announcement that David Kemp would not be re-contesting.
Damien Mantach managed to see off maneuvres to appoint Simon Troeth to the party director’s post.
Early stage Presidential candidates include Chris Pearce who has been sashaying around 104 recently. Other contenders include Peter Reith, Sandra Mercer Moore and Tony Snell.
David Kemp is part of the problem not part of the solution. Get rid of him fast!!!!
This is democracy in action – grass roots members get few chances to determine the direction of the party and the choice of a new President is one of the most important.
David Kemp steered a careful course while President and managed to get some significant reforms through. He was a wise head who kept the party together during a difficult period of State Opposition and transition to Opposition federally.
He was there while the Victorian Federal Parliamentary Party renewed itself in the three years after 2007. Unfortunately, he was unable to force through enough renewal in the State Parliamentary Party. This is the unfinished business of the Presidency that has been made all the more difficult by the spoils of government. It is a Herculean task and David Kemp deserves his retirement.
Thank you David. You have been a great servant of the Liberal Party.
Early market in the Presidency Stakes to be run over three years:-
3/1 and favorite Sandra Mercer-Moore.
7/2 Tony Snell.
10/1 Chris Pearce.
33/1 Peter Reith.
100/1 Any other starters.
Observer.
Doyly!
Kroges!
Want to give it a go Nick? I’m sure I have the capacity to promise interstate Presidencies to make up for your old role.
What the Victorian Division needs now is a respected political strategist.
I am a respected political strategist.
I will campaign on my record.
-2007 state election.
-2010 federal election.
-2010 federal preselections.
-Cutting and running 4 weeks before a campaign.
It is strategies such as these that make me so respected.
Just think, I could do for the Victorian Division what I did for the NSW Division.
If I recall correctly, Mr Baillieu pushed through some “reforms” making it illegal to disseminate written material in relation to any candidature for voluntary office in the Liberal Party. This is a stupid rule as it is honoured more in the breach than in its observance and disempowers party members at the expense of blogs and anonymous web sites and media leaks to gullible journalists. I will not make any comment on any of the candidates and their suitability to be entrusted with the position of President or any of the members of the Administrative Committee. I am not eligible to vote for the Presidency or the Admininstrative Committee or State Assembly (or whatever we now call the body for people without anything more worthwhile to do on a Friday night than listen to some politicians repeat what was said on the news and give answers that make question time in parliament appear to be the pinnacle of candour, transparency and openness). Liberal Party members may be more active and discerning than the average stacked ALP member but that isn’t necessarily a statistic worthy of much of a boast.
Kroger people will probably push for Snell. So he’s the most likely winner.
Baillieu camp may push John Persutto or perhaps there female southern metro candidate (4th).
There will be a push on to re-take the Admin committee too.
Snell is most likely – well regarded as solid and smart but not having any mongrel in him to take on Government ministers or other party figures. No real rival on the present admin however.
Why did Andrew Burnes resign effective end of January? He was seen as one of the weaker Party Treasurers and not aligned particularly. Hard to get a replacement.
Does Tony Snell bat for the other side?
With the Krogerites knowing they are beaten for the time being they are off to find their next target.
Seriously, this is a good thing, and if the libs can work as one, with the enemy only on the outside this state will once again be “on the move”
Lot of buzz around Scott Lynn, actually.