The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party has dumped sitting Upper House MP Robert Brown just weeks before the NSW election.

In a confidential preselection vote, the 65-year-old, who is also the party’s longest-serving parliamentarian, was rolled for the chairman, Mark Banasiak.

The move has caught his Upper House colleague, Robert Borsak by surprise.

“I am disappointed, the party has said that is a generational thing, and Mark is 37 and Robert is a lot older,” Mr Borsak said.

“But I wouldn’t typify it as a sitting parliamentarian as being shafted.”

‘We will get over it’

Only last week Mr Borsak expressed his confidence in Mr Brown leading the Upper House ticket for the campaign, but said he does not believe the decision to axe Mr Brown will damage the party’s election chances.

“The Upper House focus is important,” Mr Borsak said, explaining why the preselection process was left so late.

“[But] the party is really very [focussed] on its Lower House campaigns and the preselection of candidates in those seats we think we have a chance in.

“So yeah it will cause us some short-term difficulties, but I think we will get over it.”

‘Extremely disappointed’

The party is attempting to run candidates in 23 electorates in its first major foray into the Lower House.

In a statement to the ABC, Mr Brown expressed his dismay: “As the SFF’s longest-standing Parliamentarian, and the party’s most ‘capped’ legislator, I’m extremely disappointed with the decision so close to a critical election. However, I support the SFF Party 100 per cent, and particularly the host of good [Legislative Assembly] candidates. That support is unconditional.”

Nationals MLC Wes Fang said he served on several committees and inquiries with Mr Brown, and said he will be a loss for the Upper House.

“Robert was very strong on issues like the dairy inquiry, he had strong views on how we could protect the industry,” Mr Fang said.

“We often differed in our politics but there was no questioning his passion for the role.

“This was a coup in the middle of the night against Robert — by all accounts he didn’t see it coming, and I don’t think anybody did.”

He said the decision shows the SFF is just like every other political party.

“The party owes you a little bit of respect and at least the opportunity to give valedictory speech,” Mr Fang said.

“I just think that is poor form and just shows that the Shooters really don’t have the respect of their members to take care of people like Robert.”

–ABC