Patricia Forsythe Speaks Out

Tonight's edition of Quentin Dempster's Stateline should be fascinating viewing, with NSW Liberal MP Patricia Forsythe to speak out about the factional war going on within the NSW Liberal Party at the moment. I've heard a short excerpt of the interview on ABC 702 - it sounds like she will pull no punches, confirming claims that some moderate MPs had pre-selections threatened in return for their support for certain candidates.

In particular, Forsythe names ultra-conservative MP David Clarke as a ringleader, and warned that Clarke would alienate many of his colleagues with his far-right wing views, such as his push to ban abortion. Clarke, you may recall, has an ambitious young staffer named Alex Hawke - ring any bells?

Good on Forsythe for speaking out - the interview will be on ABC TV tonight at 7:30pm.

UPDATE - Our old mate Grahame Morris also appeared on Lateline to confirm the existence of a small but growing far religious right faction in the NSW Liberal Party - in doing so, denying new NSW Liberal Leader Peter Debnam, who rushed to pour cold water on the idea.