Liberal veteran Duncan McFetridge loses SA preselection to Stephen Patterson – ABC Online

Updated April 22, 2017 13:45:09

Veteran South Australian Liberal MP Duncan McFetridge has been dumped in a preselection fight for his state seat of Morphett, with the party choosing Holdfast Bay Mayor Stephen Patterson.

Dr McFetridge, who has held the western Adelaide seat since 2002, was dumped from shadow cabinet at the start of the year.

SA Liberal leader Steven Marshall had publicly backed Dr McFetridge and even declared the veteran MP would win.

Another contender for the Morphett preselection was former federal Liberal Matt Williams, who lost his seat at the last federal poll.

Mr Marshall said Dr McFetridge lost out in a close contest on Friday evening.

"The people of the branch have spoken ... it was a very narrow win by Stephen Patterson but I think it was a very difficult decision for the people in that room last night," he said.

"Dr McFetridge has been a great member for the Liberal Party and more broadly for the people of South Australia. He served that electorate with distinction."

Dr McFetridge admitted the result was a surprise and said he would be considering his options for the future.

"Frankly, I was shocked at the result last night with the electoral college in Morphett. I have a lot of support in Morphett, I spoke to all the college delegates, and they had given me indications of very, very strong support," he said.

"I don't understand it. I'll be speaking to my supporters and I'll be considering all my options."

After the Morphett Liberal candidate was announced, former Liberal Martin Hamilton-Smith tweeted that Dr Fetridge had learnt what it meant to have leader Mr Marshall right behind him.

Labor said Mr Marshall's leadership authority had been undermined, despite having promised that his preferred candidate Dr McFetridge could be speaker in the next Parliament.

Labor MP Chris Picton tweeted Australian Steven Bradbury's improbable gold medal win at the 2002 Winter Olympics, when competitors ahead of him fell before the finish line, and likened it to the outcome.

Mr Patterson said he believed his connection with his local community made the difference.

"Certainly people were looking for a genuinely connected local who could really resonate with the community and represent them," he said.

Senior Liberal MP Stephen Wade said he was disappointed to see his long-time colleague Dr McFetridge ousted, but Mr Patterson would have his support.

"I was supporting Duncan in the preselection but I do respect the decision of the electoral college," he said.

"Our party is very democratic and we've had a very robust set of preselections which I believe is delivering a great team for 2018."

South Australians will go to the polls next March, under the state's fixed-date electoral system.

The Liberal Party has also chosen its candidate for the regional seat of Narungga, the renamed electorate of Goyder based on Yorke Peninsula.

Fraser Ellis will contest the seat when current Liberal member Steven Griffiths retires next year.

Mr Griffiths lost his shadow ministry role this year when Mr Marshall said he wanted to renew his Opposition line-up in the year leading up to the 2018 state poll.

Topics: states-and-territories, government-and-politics, liberals, political-parties, adelaide-5000, sa, wallaroo-5556

First posted April 22, 2017 09:16:33

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Liberal veteran Duncan McFetridge loses SA preselection to Stephen Patterson - ABC Online