Cricket-gate not the only trouble for cash-strapped Canberra Libs

The Canberra Liberals campaign to regain elected representation at the federal level is in disarray, with less than $21,000 in the coffers and infighting over endorsements plaguing the ACT division of the party.

As Region reported exclusively this morning (24 January), embattled ACT Senate candidate Jacob Vadakkedathu has a battle on his hands not just over allegations of branch stacking but also over whether he had the authority to sell a cricket bat at his campaign launch.

He insists he was urged to take the bat from the division office to auction at his fundraiser event last year, but a letter from party president Nick Tyrrell to the management committee says otherwise.

The lengthy email, leaked to Region and republished here, reveals much more about the dire state of the Canberra Liberals’ campaign just weeks away from the federal election.

Media training for Mr Vadakkedathu and the cancellation of an event this week where he was to be endorsed by Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have both seen the campaign budget decimated.

“Jacob made a financial contribution to the campaign to allow this to happen [media training], and it is worth noting this was agreed to even though it reduced the funds available for the campaign by about $6,000, leaving around $21,000 available,” Mr Tyrell wrote.

“Regrettably, we have also refunded around $4,000 of registrations to the Peter Dutton event this week, which sets us further behind.

“I understand this is a difficult situation, and you are likely all receiving calls and messages like I am.”

Mr Tyrrell also used the letter to apologise to ACT Assembly Opposition Leader and leader of the Canberra Liberals, Leanne Castley, for the furore over Mr Vadakkedathu’s candidacy and the calling of Division Council over his endorsement.

“To Leanne in particular, I am sorry you have had to carry the can for both federal issues and party matters this week in public,” the letter says.

“I hope we can all aim to resolve this situation as quickly and decisively as possible in order to get our campaign Back on Track and take the fight to Labor.”

A letter to the wider membership from Mr Tyrrell, sent out on Tuesday this week and also seen by Region, explains the Dutton event was almost sold out and promises to refund all who had registered to attend.

“As I foreshadowed last week, we will be unable to host the Opposition Leader this Thursday, which is disappointing but of course understandable in light of the current situation,” the letter to members says.

“I am hopeful we will have the opportunity to reschedule as quickly as possible, especially as there are sitting weeks imminent.

“We had almost sold out the event, so I am grateful to so many of you who registered as it was to be a fundraising opportunity for our federal campaign and a great opportunity to begin the year with a sense of purpose, but given the circumstances you will be refunded in full over the coming days.”

Mr Tyrrell’s email to the management committee, however, also flags party contenders for preselection for the ACT’s House of Representatives seats.

Michael Keating of Keating Media, which published the Inside Canberra political newsletter, is among them, as is young Liberal and political staffer William Roche – both expressing interest for the seat of Canberra.

Mr Tyrrell said he could not comment on internal party matters when approached by Region.

Mr Vadakkedathu claims he is being set up over the sale of the cricket bat, but would not comment on other internal party issues such as the branch stacking allegations against him.

Other party sources have told Region that it is an “extremely bitter and divisive” fight over Mr Vadakkedathu’s position.

Some within the division want a woman to replace Mr Vadakkedathu as the Senate candidate if he is disendorsed so as to better counter Labor Senator Katy Gallagher.

There is also speculation Mr Tyrrell might throw his own hat into the ring for consideration.

But Mr Vadakkedathu is refusing to step aside voluntarily, insisting he has done nothing to warrant disendorsement.

A Liberal Party divisional council meeting has been set for 1 February to consider the future of his candidacy.