‘Sleepwalking into defeat’: Liberal MPs’ lacklustre fundraising efforts spark election fears

Infighting and concerns about MPs’ lacklustre fundraising efforts have fractured the NSW Liberal Party six months before voters go to the polls.

A decision by state director Mark Neeham – who took on the job in April – to take six weeks off for an army reservists’ training camp angered some Liberal MPs. Frontbencher Mark Coure took Neeham to task about what he perceived to be a lack of focus on the March election.

As Adelaide Cuneo, who works in clean energy, firmed as the party’s sole nominee in the northern beaches seat of Manly, Liberal sources said several frontbenchers and MPs had raised little or no money, creating questions about the party’s capacity to defend their seats.

Those issue signify deeper troubles within the Liberals six months out from polling day. The Coalition’s primary vote of 24 per cent currently trails both Labor and One Nation, according to the latest Resolve Monitor Poll. Two frontbenchers – James Griffin and Alistair Henskens – announced their resignations in consecutive weeks. Some MPs are anticipating more resignations will follow.

Before the party’s State Council meeting at the Sheraton hotel at Hyde Park on Saturday, the Herald spoke to 11 Liberal sources who were granted anonymity to discuss confidential party matters.

“We’re sleepwalking into defeat,” one MP lamented.

Anxieties among the Liberals heightened in August when MPs became aware Neeham would be away for army training for six weeks. The extent of his absence – which two sources said was approved when Neeham took the role – was hardly known among MPs, and stunned some insiders who felt his priority should have been the party and preparing for an incredibly tough election.

Coure – who has served as the MO for Oatley for 15 years and holds the seat on a 0.8 per cent margin – was “furious”, according to one source, and had words with Neeham about his prolonged absence from Liberal HQ, according to three sources briefed on the conversation.

Neeham and Coure declined to comment. Employers are legally required to release Australian Defence Force reservists for service without requiring they take leave.

A senior Liberal source said Coure’s frustration with Neeham was shared among the parliamentary team. Another said the dispute underscored an ongoing disconnect between party headquarters and the Liberal caucus, with “some having a lack of confidence in HQ’s attentiveness and focus on the NSW team”.

“I would’ve thought the management of the political party that forms Australia’s alternative government is a bigger issue for the national interest than the army reserves,” a party source said.

Last week, Neeham posted about his experience on LinkedIn, saying it was his “third time undertaking military and officer training”.

“I’m proud of where the journey began, grateful for where it has led, and humbled by the opportunity to serve Australia and the Australian Army. I am an Australian Soldier. Always.”

In a fundraising email on Thursday night, Neeham urged party members to donate, saying HQ needed $20,000 in the next 10 days to launch the first phase of the party’s advertising campaign.

But a lack of fundraising among some MPs has also raised red flags internally. Two sources privy to internal fundraising data said frontbenchers Eleni Petinos, Justin Clancy and Felicity Wilson had raised extremely limited funds – if anything – for their state campaign.

“I have undertaken fundraising activities over the course of the term and will continue to do so,” Petinos responded.

“I remain fully committed to representing the people of Miranda and have been endorsed as the Liberal candidate for the 2027 state election. My focus remains on working hard for my community and delivering for the people I represent.”

Party elder Damien Tudehope – who insiders said appeared as if he wanted another eight-year term in the upper house – also had raised little to no funding, according to two sources.

Clancy, Wilson and Tudehope were contacted for comment.

Shadow ministers and MPs have previously been expected to raise $40,000 to $70,000 to defend their seats, with the figure depending on the electorate’s margin.

A Liberal source said Clancy was working towards his targets, having been focused on fundraising for the 2025 federal election and Farrer byelection in May. Wilson, the member for North Shore, had a number of fundraisers planned, another source said.

A limited number of MPs had fundraised significant sums, two Liberal sources said: Tim James, Matt Cross, Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, Natalie Ward, Jordan Lane, Rachel Merton and Coure.

A party spokesman said: “Fundraising is progressing well and support will continue to grow as the election approaches.”

A senior Liberal source believed the Coalition’s electoral position wasn’t as dire as being rendered by the commentariat, and was confident that One Nation’s vote was “really, really soft”. Although they conceded landing a nuanced message to win both Manly and Camden was problematic.

Nominations were being kept open in Penrith in the hope that Stuart Ayres, a former minister turned development lobbyist, could still be convinced to run in his old seat, according to two sources. One source said some believed Ayres was the only candidate who could reclaim the Labor-held seat.

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