Noel Towell has a story in the Canberra Times about some pointless security theatre for a Liberal pre-selection ballot that has already been nailed down.
The party faithful have been told they will be vetted as they arrive at Eastlake to ensure the meetings are not infiltrated by members of other parties or journalists.
In the central, seven-seat electorate of Molonglo, incumbent Jeremy Hanson will be joined by Steve Dozspot, looking to make the switch from Brindabella, beaten 2008 candidate Giulia Jones, defeated 2010 federal election hopeful James Milligan, Murray Gordon, Tom Sefton and Elizabeth Lee.
In the southern, five-seat electorate of Brindabella, leader Zed Seselja will ask the membership to rubber stamp his switch, completing his electorate swap with Mr Dozspot.
Mr Seselja will be joined on the ticket by his deputy, Brindabella stalwart Brendan Smyth, beaten 2008 Community Alliance candidate Val Jeffery, Homelessness Australia chief executive Nicole Lawder and Andrew Wall. In Ginninderra, incumbents Alistair Coe and Vicki Dunne will take the plunge again, joined by businesswoman Merinda Nash, Matthew Watts and Jacob Vadekkedathu.
It’s nice to see Matt Watts having another run. I guess we’ll see who’s got star power as they get out on the campaign trail.