Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull's public intervention in Liberal Party politics over whether the party should protect MP Craig Kelly from a preselection battle has left the Morrison Government again trying to patch up dissension within the ranks.
Mr Turnbull called on the party to take a stand against Mr Kelly's reported threats to move to the crossbench, but the New South Wales State Executive instead re-endorsed him as the Liberal candidate for Hughes.
Mr Turnbull has also urged Prime Minister Scott Morrison to go to an early federal election in a bid to stave off a state Liberal defeat in New South Wales.
Ousted prime minister Malcolm Turnbull says protecting Liberal MP Craig Kelly from a preselection battle after reports he had considered defecting to the crossbench would be the antithesis of good government.
With the prospect of potential defeat in the New South Wales seat of Hughes, Mr Kelly had reportedly flirted with the idea of running as an Independent if he failed to get guaranteed preselection.
But despite Mr Turnbull's agitation, the state Liberal Party has now re-endorsed him, along with fellow Liberal MPs John Alexander, Jason Falinski and Lucy Wicks.
Mr Turnbull says the vote on Mr Kelly's future should have gone to local party members.
He says the party should never pander to threats.
Full details are available on audio news.
