Labor's disendorsed candidate for John Howard's former seat of Bennelong says he's been "hung, drawn and quartered" by the ALP.
Ryde councillor Jeffrey Salvestro-Martin had won the ALP preselection for Bennelong.
But the party dumped him on Monday as the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) began an investigation into whether he and others received undisclosed political donations in the form of advertising in the lead up to the September 2012 local government elections.
"I'm clearly disappointed with yesterday's decision," said Mr Salvestro-Martin, who claims he is the victim of "political revenge" by factions in the ALP.
"I have not been near so much as a witness box but I have been hung, drawn and quartered."
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He added that he would "come back at some time" but would not speculate about whether he intended to run as an independent.
The ICAC has listed Mr Salvestro-Martin as a witness in the matter but he is yet to give evidence.
The ALP has reopened nominations for Bennelong and will hold a preselection ballot on July 23.
Former tennis champion John Alexander holds the seat for the Liberal party with a 3.1 per cent margin.
