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Libs to run in Wagga by-election: premier

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has dismissed speculation the Nationals could contest the Wagga Wagga by-election, confirming the Liberal Party will be running.

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Source: AAP


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The NSW premier has moved to quash ongoing speculation the Nationals could contest the upcoming Wagga Wagga by-election by insisting "the Liberals are running".

Gladys Berejiklian met with her deputy and state Nationals leader John Barilaro on Wednesday to discuss the by-election, which will follow the resignation of disgraced ex-Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.

The pair agreed on the weekend there wouldn't be a three-cornered contest but the Nationals continued to suggest they could potentially run in the Riverina seat.

Ms Berejiklian dismissed that talk on Thursday.

"There's no three-cornered contest and the Liberals are running," she told reporters in Sydney.

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The premier on Saturday made it clear she expects a Liberal Party candidate to run and win the seat.

"The Liberal Party's held that seat for half a century and the Liberal Party has opened nominations," Ms Berejiklian said at the time.

NSW Labor has announced local councillor Dan Hayes will be the ALP candidate.

Mr Maguire's fall from grace began on July 13 when a damning taped phone conversation was played to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

He was heard boasting about a Chinese client with "mega money" and discussing potential commissions from property deals as he spoke with the Canterbury City Councillor at the centre of the investigation.

Mr Barilaro's office declined to comment on Thursday when contacted by AAP.


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