Sunbury Liberal Party identity Ben Collier has been advised by his own party not to stand for the new seat of Sunbury, according to some party members.
The party has extended the pre-selection period for the seat after receiving no nominations by the original deadline.
Multiple party members, who asked not to be named, told the
Weekly that nominations closed on February 14 for the seat, which includes Sunbury township, Bulla, Diggers Rest and parts of Tullamarine, Westmeadows and Gladstone Park.
They said the local branch expected Sunbury resident Mr Collier to stand, but he had been discouraged by key Liberal powerbrokers.
They are believed to have told local members Mr Collier could not stand in Sunbury because of fall-out from the 2013 federal election.
“Ben is the only one who could win the seat and defeat Josh Bull [Labor’s candidate],” said one Liberal Party member.
“Games are being played in the seat of Sunbury. Labor Party games are being played in the Liberal Party.”
Mr Collier, who withdrew as candidate for McEwen in last year’s federal election for family reasons, told the
Weekly he would not stand for the seat. But he would not be drawn on claims he had been advised not to.
“I decided that right now is not the best time for my family, and we decided not to compete this time around,” he said.
“Of course, I seriously considered it and genuinely would have liked to contribute.
“But given the year we had last year and the way things happened, [his wife] Gina and I made the decision it’s not the best thing at this time. I will be supportive of any campaign for whoever puts up their hand and will work hard for their success in Sunbury.”
Mr Collier said he hadn’t heard the claims of key Liberal Party members bad-mouthing him in the community.
One party member also said Sunbury resident Adrian Lodders had been approached to run in the seat, but he had declined. saying Mr Collier was the best candidate.
Mr Lodders said he had been approached but had “always stood by Ben and hoped he’d run again to represent the area”.
