Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has backed Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis as the best person to represent the marginal electorate amid a potential Liberal Party preselection challenge.
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Ms Sudmalis, who holds the seat by the slimmest of margins, stood next to Mr Turnbull in Nowra on Thursday to announce $155 million for a new bridge across the Shoalhaven River.
The PM’s visit came just days after the Liberal Party’s preselection for the South Coast seat, which it holds by a margin of just 0.73 per cent, opened on Monday and a potential challenger to Ms Sudmalis emerged.
Earlier this week, a senior Liberal party source confirmed speculation the two-term MP would be challenged prior to the next election.
“Of course she’s going to be challenged, and of course there’s going to be a preselection,” the source said. “It’s a good thing.”
Liberal Party member Grant Schultz from Milton, the son of prominent Howard government MP Alby Schultz, was named as the likely challenger.
Mr Schultz declined to comment on internal party matters.
Ms Sudmalis told Fairfax Media she would nominate for preselection, “which is the democratic process of the Liberal Party”.
Thursday’s bridge build announcement was made on the bank of the Shoalhaven River – the warmth of the midday sun illustrative of the political heat surrounding the Gilmore MP.
Asked if Ms Sudmalis had his backing, and was the best person for the job, Mr Turnbull said: “Ann is a phenomenal candidate, member [and] advocate”.
“She has been supported again and again by the people of Gilmore,” he said.
“Look, we’re going to have a new bridge. Who did that? Ann Sudmalis. Whose advocacy, whose persistence delivered that?
“Who galvanised and channeled the support of the community to demonstrate that amidst all the priorities, and there are many priorities for infrastructure as you know, this was the key one here and that is a tribute to her persuasiveness, and her persistence, her strong advocacy.”
The PM’s sentiment echoed earlier comments he made during a riverside press conference.
“This bridge, that hasn’t even been built yet, is the best known bridge in Canberra because Ann Sudmalis has been as persuasive as she has been persistent,” Mr Turnbull said.
“Everybody knows about the importance of this bridge.”
“Some ministers would say painful, I think, but nevermind,” Ms Sudmalis interjected.
“Effective,” Mr Turnbull replied. “That’s what the people of Gilmore want, they want an advocate who is effective and gets things done.”
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
