UPDATE
Kent Johns will nominate for Liberal Party preselection for Hughes despite Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s support for sitting MP Craig Kelly, party sources say.
Cr Johns is understood to have become more determined after a conversation with a member of Mr Kelly’s team on Tuesday.
“Never pick a fight with Kent Johns,” one source said.
The Johns camp said two other branch members had already nominated for preselection and Mr Kelly was “certain to lose”.
Preselection nominations close at 5pm on Friday, February 19.
EARLIER
Prime Minister Maloclm Turnbull has delivered what appears to be a “killer blow” to Sutherland Shire councillor Kent Johns’s campaign to replace Craig Kelly as the Liberal candidate for Hughes.
Mr Turnbull has written a letter to the Liberal Party executive, strongly recommending Mr Kelly be re-endorsed.
The Prime Minister said Mr Kelly’s electoral results were “outstanding,” he had “a fine reputation for standing up for his local constituents and was unafraid of taking on controversial issues”.
Nominations for Liberal Party preselection for Hughes close on Friday, February 19.
Cr Johns has been preparing to challenge, but is highly unlikely to proceed.
He told the Leader party rules did not allow him to comment on any preselection.
Mr Turnbull wrote to the the acting state director the party’s NSW division, Simon McInnes, on February 14.
His letter reads:
”I write to strongly recommend Craig Kelly MP be re-endorsed as the Liberal Candidate for Hughes to contest the 2016 Federal Election.
“Craig’s electoral results have been outstanding. He has increased his margin from just 0.5% to 10.7% over two elections.
“He has developed a fine reputation for standing up for his local constituents and is unafraid of taking on controversial issues.
“Craig is one of our most consistent performers on the floor of the Parliament having made the second highest number of contributions to debate amongst all Coalition members during this Parliamentary term.
“In the media, Craig is a powerful advocate, explaining our record on jobs, on economic growth and national security. Craig has also had success in promoting our Government’s agenda across the many multicultural communities in Western Sydney.
“Given Craig’s outstanding electoral results, his strong Parliamentary performance and his standing in his local community, I ask that you give Craig your full support in his nomination to re-contest the seat of Hughes.”
