THE WA Liberal Party has taken a cautious approach to deciding who will run for the seat of Tangney after declining to endorse the candidate put forward by the local preselection committee.
Toyota finance executive Glenn Piggott received the majority vote from the committee at a meeting earlier this month while Alcoa government relations and public policy manager Libby Lyons came third.
Tangney MHR Dennis Jensen, who came second in the preselectors’ ballot, said last week his failure to secure the seat was “disappointing” but not the final result.
On Saturday, the party’s State Council declined to choose either candidate, instead opting to call all three to present their cases directly to the council in what is understood to be an unprecedented move.
WA Liberal Party state director Ben Morton said the council was taking a cautious approach in deciding who would best serve the Tangney electorate.
“The recommendation of the local selection committee was to endorse Glenn Piggott,” he said.
“It would be a significant decision if State Council were to follow that decision, so we have done what is cautious and appropriate.
“State Council takes its role as final decision maker very seriously … we want to take all the facts into consideration.”
Mr Piggott said he could not comment extensively until the process was finished. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to continue what I’ve been doing – that is, presenting my credentials as the local candidate for the seat of Tangney.”
Dr Jensen said he was pleased that the council was going to examine the candidates itself.
“I have faith in the men and women of State Council, who act in the best interests of Australia and the Liberal Party,” he said.
“I look forward to contesting the next election as the Liberal candidate for Tangney, and continuing to serve my constituents.”
Mr Morton said that on Saturday August 22 candidates would have an opportunity to address State Council for the first time and to answer questions from the floor before a decision was made.