Liberal MP says shes being targeted by conservatives, urges end to infighting – Sydney Morning Herald

Inner west Sydney Liberal MP Fiona Martin says she is being targeted by conservatives within her own party who are bitter about her stance on progressive issues, and called on them to end factional infighting ahead of the federal election.

The former child psychologist, who faces a tough contest to retain her marginal seat of Reid, said her decision to cross the floor over an amendment to the sex discrimination act in February, as well as her advocacy for net-zero emissions targets, had earned the ire of conservatives within the Liberal Party.

At times, the far right of our party might not like what Ive done, but Ive worked to be representative of the people of Reid, Dr Martin said. The electorate straddles Parramatta Road and spans wealthy parts of Canada Bay, working-class suburbs Auburn and Lidcombe, as well as ethnically diverse communities in Burwood, Strathfield and Homebush.

Liberal MP Dr Fiona Martin said she thought of children she has treated as a psychologist when she crossed the floor to vote against the government.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer

Two heads of a local branch withdrew support from Dr Martins campaign this week, citing their allegiance to an independent candidate who quit the Liberal Party in protest, while an article in The Australian reported there had been a staff exodus from her office and alleged she made inappropriate comments to employees.

Dr Martin said she had not been made aware of any complaints, but she apologised if any staff member had a poor experience in her office.

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The MP - who is the only moderate female Liberal from NSW in the lower house - told the Herald she believed the media story about her electoral office was part of an organised campaign by conservative members of the party to tarnish her character.

We dont want to encourage directing these kinds of tactics to our own people. If anyone had a difference of opinion in Reid they should come and talk to me in the first instance, rather than orchestrated political attacks, she said.

While this might have been motivated by actions that Ive taken, the people of Reid are not interested in political mud-throwing.

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Liberal MP says shes being targeted by conservatives, urges end to infighting - Sydney Morning Herald