STATEMENT FROM THE LEADER OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LIBERAL PARTY

The Hon Scott Morrison MP.
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6 years ago
STATEMENT FROM THE LEADER OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LIBERAL PARTY
The Hon Scott Morrison MP
This morning I met with Ann Sudmalis who confirmed her intention to withdraw her nomination for the seat of Gilmore.
Ann has been an outstanding member and a strong voice for Gilmore over the past five-and-a-half years. I also consider her a good friend.
Ann raised a number of genuine concerns with me regarding her treatment in her local Federal Electoral Conference within the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party of Australia. This is in addition to complaints I have received from other colleagues about processes in the party’s organisational wing.
 
I stress that these are complaints that do not relate to the parliamentary wing, but to the organisational wing of the party.
 
As party leader, it is my job to set the standard. It is the party’s job to uphold and protect those standards from the grassroots up, to ensure that MPs and candidates are treated with respect and are well supported.
 
I have today, through the Federal Director, requested the Federal Executive of the Liberal Party to consider how they will take steps to ensure there is a rigorous and confidential process to deal with concerns and complaints from party members, including Members of Parliament.
 
Nola Marino, the chief whip, has managed this process for parliamentarians. This new arrangement will ensure that the organisational wing of the party has the same processes and upholds the same values.
 
I want the Federal Executive to include in that report their concrete plans to ensure the party continues to attract and support outstanding men and women who want to represent their party in this parliament.
 
I continue to make it clear that I want to see more women in the federal parliament. The Federal and State branches of the Liberal party will work towards that outcome.
Prime Minsters' Office