Even before Mr Ellis’ bid for preselection was confirmed, there were rumblings in political circles that Prime Minister Scott Morrison and other high profile Liberals would intervene, to ensure sitting members would be put up as candidates at the next election.
And that appears to have been the case, with reports that a committee comprising Mr Morrison, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and former federal Liberal president Chris McDiven staging a temporary takeover of the NSW branch on Friday.
The newfound powers allowed the committee to circumvent democratic preselections in three NSW seats, and officially preselect prominent federal members.
In addition to Ms Ley, who is Minister for Environment, it included Immigration Minister and Member for Mitchell Alex Hawke and Member for North Sydney Trent Zimmerman.
All three faced uncertain futures had internal voting been held.
Speaking off the record, multiple sources from within the Farrer branch expressed doubt that Ms Ley could successfully contest a preselection against Mr Ellis.
Under internal Liberal Party rules branch members are not permitted to comment on internal matters.
Earlier this month, Mr Morrison foreshadowed a potential federal intervention during an interview with 2GB radio Sydney.
Referring to the inability of the Farrer branch to preselect Ms Ley, a long-time sitting member, Mr Morrison accused members of playing ‘‘childish games’’.
“If they can’t endorse (Ms Ley), they should get out of the way and let the federal executive ensure that we can get that done,’’ he said.
At the time Ms Ley supported the Prime Minister — who she has previously referred to as a ‘‘close friend’’.
During a press conference held in the days after Mr Morrison’s comments, Ms Ley claimed there are those who ‘‘don’t deserve to be in the Liberal Party’’.
‘‘I’ve nominated as the candidate for the Liberal Party (in Farrer), and I am unaware of any other nominations,’’ Ms Ley said at the time.
When contacted about the latest developments yesterday, Ms Ley’s office declined comment, citing Liberal party rules.
‘‘As members/candidates are not allowed to comment on internal party processes, there has been no statement from her (Ms Ley),’’ a spokesperson for Ms Ley said.
Mr Ellis was unavailable for comment prior to publication.
