Disgruntled NSW Liberals lay blame for federal election rout

The 2022 federal election was the first time these were operational, but Covid restrictions meant the party was unable to hold rank and file preselections, which in some cases would have required up to 800 members to gather face to face.

The result was a wave of losses in seats where candidates and sitting members were only endorsed just days before the election was called.

These included Gilmore, where Andrew Constance lost by just over 200 votes, North Sydney, where Trent Zimmerman lost to independent Kylea Tink, and Warringah, where Morrison chose anti-trans campaigner Katherine Deves to run against popular independent Zali Steggall after other candidates pulled out.

As a result of the Deves appointment, several members argued that there was a backlash in moderate seats that were then won by teal independents.

He pointed to the 2019 post-election review by former senator Arthur Sinodinos, who recommended that candidates be in the field nine to 12 months before the election.

One of the few rank and file selections was held in Bennelong but, again, only a few weeks before the election was called. Simon Kennedy, a former McKinsey partner, beat former staffer Giselle Kapterian, who was well known locally. Kennedy lost to the former Ryde mayor Jerome Laxale, who ran for Labor and was also well known.

Some of the criticism was more pointed however, with several people blaming former immigration minister Alex Hawke directly for the delays.

When time ran out, Morrison then asked the federal executive to intervene and install his choices.

Morrison stepped in to save one of his few women cabinet ministers and had also installed Jenny Ware in Hughes and Deves in Warringah. Hawke and Zimmerman were also beneficiaries of the prime ministerial intervention.

Instead, Hawke blamed the factions and state executive.

Others agreed that a 27-strong executive was too large, and that the requirement to override normal processes with a 90% vote meant that just three members could block any special motion.

There were also criticisms of the state president, Philip Ruddock, and the division staff.