Liberal Party Infighting Erupts Over Nepean Byelection Candidate Selection
Exclusive revelations have exposed a fierce internal battle within the Victorian Liberal party over who will represent the party in the upcoming Nepean byelection, with local branch members set to be denied voting rights in the preselection process.
Executive Fast-Tracks Mayoral Candidate
The party's state executive, previously known as the administrative committee, is poised to back Mornington Peninsula mayor Anthony Marsh as the successor to former deputy Victorian leader Sam Groth in a vote scheduled for 24 February. This decision bypasses the traditional democratic process involving local branch members, instead placing the choice solely in the hands of the 18-member state executive and six Nepean local executive representatives.
Marsh, who only joined the Liberal party on 10 February, received special dispensation from the executive on 12 February to seek preselection despite the usual requirement of 12-month membership. In a statement confirming his application, Marsh emphasized his longstanding connection to the electorate, stating: "I went to school here, have lived here, built my business serving local clients, and have worked and represented this community over many years, including in local government and as mayor."
Controversial Circumstances Surrounding Byelection
The byelection was triggered by the early resignation of Sam Groth, a former professional tennis player who had initially planned to quit politics at the November election but accelerated his departure last week amid ongoing party infighting. The date for the byelection is expected to be announced this week by speaker Maree Edwards.
Groth's premature exit has already frustrated local branch members, who are now further angered by their exclusion from selecting his replacement. One local member estimated the byelection would cost the Liberal party between $300,000 and $500,000, with taxpayers bearing an additional $2 million burden.
Candidate Field and Internal Criticism
Marsh will face competition from former party candidates David Burgess, Briony Camp (nee Hutton), Nathan Conroy, and Bree Ambry, according to senior Liberal sources unauthorized to speak publicly. Supporters point to Marsh's impressive 70.43% first-preference result in his ward during the 2024 local government elections, where he defeated Despi O'Connor, who had previously run as an independent in Flinders during the 2022 federal election.
"Anthony has already proven he can beat a teal," one senior Liberal source argued. "He's exactly what we need in this seat: a sensible, centre-right candidate with local ties." Another source acknowledged that bypassing the branch "wasn't ideal" but cited time constraints, noting that organizing a plebiscite could take up to three weeks while "One Nation and the teals are already on the ground right now."
Local Branch Outrage and Historical Parallels
The executive's decision has sparked significant outrage within the local branch. One member described Marsh as "Sam Groth 2.0," drawing parallels to the tennis player who also received special dispensation to run for the seat previously. "We've seen the disastrous consequences of preselecting candidates without deep party ties, and we've gone and done it again," they lamented.
Another local member reported the branch was "up in arms" about their exclusion from the selection process, highlighting growing discontent with the party's internal democratic procedures.
Political Landscape and Leadership Test
Nepean is considered a safe Liberal seat with a 6.4% margin, but challengers are actively preparing campaigns. One Nation has confirmed it will field a candidate, while Independents for Mornington Peninsula are searching for a contender. Labor, however, is not expected to run, having maintained a policy of sitting out byelections in seats it doesn't hold for over two decades.
This byelection represents the first major test for Liberal leader Jess Wilson, who assumed leadership following a successful spill against Brad Battin in November and pledged to unite her divided party. The internal conflict over candidate selection threatens to undermine her unity efforts and could impact the party's performance in what should be a secure seat.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between party executives and local branches, raising questions about democratic processes within political organizations and the strategic calculations behind candidate selection in what promises to be a closely watched political contest.
