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Rifts appear as top Liberal Sussan Ley talks down preselection challenge

Sussan Ley says she has no fear of facing a rank and file party vote for preselection.

Sussan Ley says she has no fear of facing a rank and file party vote for preselection. Photo: AAP

A senior Liberal says she’s happy to stand on her record if her pre-selection goes to a rank and file vote, after needing saving ahead of the last election.

Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley is reportedly facing a preselection challenge in her seat of Farrer in NSW’s south west.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison intervened ahead of the 2022 federal election to preselect Ms Ley after accusations of branch stacking.

Ms Ley told the ABC’s Insiders program she has the full support of now Liberal leader Peter Dutton and would stand on her record as Farrer’s representative for the past two decades.

She wouldn’t comment on the details of party processes but noted it was “unusual” sitting members of the leadership were challenged for preselection.

“Anyone can put up their hand through a preselection,” she said on Sunday, adding that rank and file votes “should have their place” when asked if another intervention was on the cards.

“I’m happy to put myself forward on my record as the Liberal member of my seat of Farrer for 22 years,” she said.

Former minister and Morrison ally Alex Hawke is also reportedly facing a challenge on top of an expulsion motion for his role in the controversial pre-selection process that plagued the NSW branch ahead of the 2022 election.

Mr Hawke’s failure to attend branch meetings delayed the selection process, meaning candidates weren’t put into the field until just weeks ahead of the election.

-AAP

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