News
12 August, 2026
LEAKED: Liberal contender emerges for Whitlam
Senior members of the Liberal Party at a regional level are blaming their declining popularity on the “far-left radicalism” of Labor as much as they are on the rising tide of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
Senior members of the Liberal Party at a regional level are blaming their declining popularity on the “far-left radicalism” of Labor as much as they are on the rising tide of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
The Gerringong Branch of the Liberal Party – now left with just six financial members – is hoping to merge with the Kiama Branch in the hope of winning back local electorates.
Those electorates include the Federal seat of Whitlam, currently held by Carol Berry, the Federal seat of Gilmore held by Fiona Phillips and the State seats of Shellharbour and Kiama held by Anna Watson and Katelin McInerney respectively.
One Liberal Party official said these MPs only retained their seats because the Liberals were not operating at their full potential.
“Historically, the Liberal Party has held both the seats of Kiama and Gilmore and I am convinced that if we work in true unison, we have a far better chance of reclaiming them, along with challenging for Whitlam and Shellharbour,” he said in explosive correspondence leaked to The Southern Wire.
“To achieve this, in my opinion, we must adopt a policy of earlier pre-selection for all seats.
“This is currently working well with our Liberal Candidate for Kiama, Serena Copley, who has been given the time to build a strong profile and engage deeply with voters; this must become the standard approach for every electorate to ensure our candidates are best positioned to win.”
The latest polls indicate the Liberals are fighting an uphill battle nationally with surging support for One Nation in regional NSW and long-term Liberal Party members happy to jump ship.
As previously reported by The Southern Wire, the Liberals (and Nationals) are looking at a whitewash at the next election due to their own infighting as much as anything else.
The reality is simple.
The Gerringong branch faces dissolution if its membership falls below five, and president Tim Banfield seems keen to pursue his political ambitions.
He has signalled his intention to stand for pre-selection in the seat of Whitlam.
He believes ‘proactively managing’ the transition of the Gerringong branch into the Kiama branch “is the most responsible, transparent and orderly way to ensure our members remain active and our regional influence is preserved.
“I have discussed this proposed amalgamation with most in the branch and I am firmly convinced this is the right, proper and correct path forward for the Party.”
He said it would help build a more resilient, focused organisation “that prioritises the long-term health of our collective future”.
“I am writing to share my perspectives with complete sincerity, openness, and transparency,” Mr Banfield said.
“My intent is to be entirely forthcoming about my motivations, as I believe that clarity is essential when we are faced with such important decisions.
“Please know that these thoughts come from a place of deep reflection; I share them in the firm belief that this path aligns with the best interests of our Party, our local communities, our region, and our nation.”
Mr Banfield said pooling resources and people was the most effective way to move forward.
“This approach is rooted in the principle of putting others before ourselves, ensuring the focus remains firmly on our shared objectives rather than any individual.
“It is a pragmatic, unselfish assessment of the broader landscape.
“I am a driven individual and I approach this work with such intensity precisely because I am passionately concerned for this region and our nation.
“I did not join the Liberal Party for personal gain, but because I cherish the country I grew up in - a land of immense promise - and I believe in its enduring potential.
“I am deeply committed to ensuring we remain a nation that reflects the values of service and integrity.
“I believe that by working together, we can build a more hopeful and prosperous future for our community.
“To achieve this, I am convinced that we must look beyond our current structures, as I believe a more unified, collaborative approach is the best way to secure the long-term future of our region.”
Mr Banfield said he was particularly concerned by a shift towards a socialist agenda in the nation “which tends to prioritise centralised control over individual initiative and often undermines the very enterprise and community spirit that have long been the foundation of our national success.”
“I believe our strength lies in empowering families and local communities, rather than relying on state-driven solutions that often lead to higher costs and less accountability.”
Mr Banfield said the party’s focus needed to remain on the wider perspective – “building a robust, consolidated movement that proactively engages the community, builds a deep bench of talent and presents a disciplined front that voters can trust to govern”.
“This is not merely a goal but a necessity, especially as we face an aggressive challenge from One Nation.
“They are actively targeting our traditional base, seeking to capture those who would normally stand with us; we cannot afford to leave that flank exposed.
“Self-seeking must end and our priority must be uniting our efforts to defeat the Labor agenda and secure a long-term future for our region.”
Mr Banfield said it was “unacceptable” that Labor held control from Sydney down to the Victorian border.
“Now more than ever, the Liberal Party stands alone as the only credible, balanced, and measured vehicle capable of steering our nation back on course.
“Our proud history and proven record verify this and we are witnessing a renewed sense of purpose and resurgence under the leadership of Federal Leader Angus Taylor and Party President Tony Abbott.
“At the state level, we are also seeing some promising and pragmatic leadership from Kellie Sloane and the NSW Liberal team.
“While both the state and federal wings have significant work ahead to improve our standing in the polls, it is encouraging to see the disciplined direction and unity taking hold under both leadership teams, providing us with a clear and effective way forward.”
Mr Banfield said he had already held discussions with president of the Moss Vale branch Amanda Lynch and acting president of the Bowral branch Mitch Tanner.
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