Conservative Liberal MP Ann-Marie Hermans has been moved to second position on the state Liberals’ upper house ticket as the party faces preselection battles and a growing threat from One Nation.
Preselection Challenges
The shift comes as Liberal MPs Moira Deeming and Bev McArthur prepare to defend their positions against incoming challenges, while Renee Heath successfully defended her position during a preselection vote on Saturday.
South-Eastern Metropolitan MP Hermans lost the top spot to Phillip Pease, a former staffer to moderate ex-MP Matthew Bach, but retained second position after a challenge from Manju Hanumantharayappa.
Hermans thanked Opposition Leader Jess Wilson for her “unwavering support” and acknowledged the delegates who backed her candidacy.
Election Strategy
“We have an election to win and a state to save – and that’s exactly what we’ll do,” Hermans told The Age.
Hermans previously faced controversy for comparing former premier Daniel Andrews to Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin.
At the 2022 election, Hermans was the only Liberal to win a seat from the South Eastern Metropolitan ticket, meaning a second-spot ranking would not have guaranteed her election under those results.
However, multiple Liberal MPs and senior figures believe Hermans remains well-positioned to retain her seat, noting the party fell only a few hundred votes short of a second MP in 2022.
They are banking on increased support across Melbourne’s south-east, which party strategists view as essential to winning the next election.
Despite the relegation, Hermans defied expectations by securing the second spot, according to insiders.
Other Preselection Results
On Saturday, conservative MP Heath staved off a challenge from author Sue Smethurst to retain the Liberal top spot for Eastern Victoria.
Heath had been scrutinized after a venue linked to her family – and partially owned by her – was used to host a One Nation branch meeting.
Two sources, speaking anonymously, said Smethurst questioned the vote process after a delegate was deemed ineligible late Friday and others did not attend.
Smethurst’s supporters were frustrated by Senator James Paterson’s intervention, phoning delegates on Heath’s behalf.
Heath said she was honoured to represent the region and remain part of Wilson’s team “entirely focused on changing the government in November”.
Wilson attended both Hermans’ and Heath’s preselections and has provided written endorsements for MPs who requested them.
Future Challenges
Conservative MPs Deeming and McArthur, who is upper house leader, will also face preselection challenges in the coming weeks.
Deeming, readmitted to the Liberal party room in late 2024 following a defamation suit, is being challenged by Dinesh Gourisetty for top spot on the Western Metropolitan ticket. Liberal sources say he is currently well placed to win.
The challenge has fuelled speculation that Deeming could defect to One Nation if she loses preselection.
These preselection battles follow the South Australian election, where One Nation significantly impacted the Liberal primary vote.
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