‘I want it now’: Liberal powerbroker sought to take over Sussan Ley’s seat, NSW inquiry told

Parliamentary probe hears claims party operative Christian Ellis organised branch stacking in seat of Farrer

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The deputy federal Liberal leader, Sussan Ley, was the target of a branch-stacking operation organised by a party powerbroker who said he wanted her seat, a New South Wales parliamentary inquiry has been told.

Shirlee Burge, a councillor and Liberal member based in Deniliquin, told the inquiry she met party operative Christian Ellis in late 2020 or early 2021, after branch members complained about an “unusual influx” of new members.

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