LIBERAL Party members are baffled that former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian is being courted to contest Warringah despite her ongoing case before the State’s corruption commissioner.
According to reports in The Australian newspaper, Ms Berejikian is being pursued by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to run for Tony Abbott’s former blue ribbon federal seat, currently held by Left-leaning independent Zali Steggall.
- PM backs former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian into Warringah.
- Party members concerned move may backfire due to ICAC investigation.
- Morrison accused of poor judgement.
Ms Berejiklian resigned her premiership and exited the NSW parliament nine weeks ago after a corruption investigation into her disgraced former boyfriend turned its attention to her.
According to The Australian this week, ICAC is unlikely to release its findings on Ms Berejiklian’s conduct prior to January 14, when preselection nominations close.
SECRET
ICAC is investigating whether the former premier withheld knowledge of corrupt conduct by her then secret boyfriend and Liberal MP, Daryl McGuire.
“That she’s even being considered at this time is crazy,” one Warringah Liberal member said.
“What happens if ICAC releases damaging findings mid-way through the campaign?
“It will blow us out of the water and gift a winnable seat to an independent.”
Online commenters have also raised concerns about Mr Morrison’s “poor judgement”.
“I despair that the Libs keep making one mistake after another,” Elizabeth wrote.
“This is very unwise of Morrison and Frydenberg to orchestrate the selection of Berejiklian in Warringah. She is still under a cloud due to the ICAC enquiry.”
Brett wrote: “If this happens, it will be one of the best own goals in Oz politics. ScoMo is so out of touch.”
Mr Morrison, however, disagreed.
“I think she’d be great. I think, as I’ve said before, the way that Gladys Berejiklian has been treated over these events, I think has been shameful,” he said.
“I think this is a great opportunity, if Gladys wishes to run, but again, that’s up to her.”
Ms Berejiklian, who is a member of the NSW Liberal’s Left faction, is understood to be warming to the offer.PC
STOP PRESS: Ms Berejiklian has since announced she would be retiring from politics and would, therefore, not be taking up the PM’s offer.
The fact that people are actually talking about her standing for the seat defies all reason.
Gladys was jilted, what better electoral candidate could you have ?
@ Brett Bara,
Alex Dore would be the same as GB and the rest of the LINOs (liberal in name only), he stands for nothing. He supported the barbaric late term abortion bill and would support anything else the corrupt main stream media and lame left wing political commentators deemed important.
Nobody resigns that quickly if they are sure they are innocent. Gladys is up to her chicken neck in deals. If the Liberals cannot see the horrendous damage this would do to them, they are truly past redemption. Their grotty little party will sink into the slime, where it belongs. And good riddance to them.
GB is NOT fit for public office. She’s demonstrated cruel and inhumane tendency during the fake Delta outbreak (pcr tests don’t distinguish Delta). Do politicians get the same vaccine as everyone else? (Are there placebos for VIPs). I know a preselector who says that Zali would thrash GB. Indeed, young Alex Dore would have enough energy and vigour to take the fight to Zali. Gladys please for heavens sake NO