Liberal Party powerbroker and Kiama MP Gareth Ward is emphatic local party members will vote in favour of endorsing Milton businessman Grant Schultz at the upcoming Gilmore preselection meeting.
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On Monday morning at a press conference when asked, “Will Grant Schultz win it,” Mr Ward’s reply was resolute.
“Absolutely,” he said.
“I’ll work with anybody, I want to see great outcomes.”
READ MORE: Chip off the old block seeks preselection
Mr Ward said he had mentioned Princes Highway improvements in conversations with Mr Schultz.
“I know Grant Schultz incredibly well, I certainly wish him all the best for Wednesday night,” he said.
“I’ve made it clear to him some of the priorities I have, certainly upgrading the Princes Highway, getting that 80-20 funding split in place is important to us.”
Mr Ward also told journalists his own party had dragged the chain on the endorsement of a candidate for Gilmore.
“Every day the Liberal Party doesn’t endorse a candidate is a day we’re letting the Labor Party have free rein in this area,” he said.
“It’s time to get on with it so we can see a fair fight for Gilmore. I want to see the bidding war begin, I want to see federal funding flow to this region.”
After the endorsement meeting is held on Wednesday night, the Liberal Party’s state executive has the final say – holding the power to accept or reject the candidate preselected by local branch members.
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