Party members are forced to turn off their phones at events to select candidates. Speeches are not recorded, making it impossible to report direct quotes from McGowan’s address.
McGowan was contacted by The Sunday Agebut declined to comment.
Last week, he was appointed Guy’s top adviser after the previous aid, Mitch Catlin, quit over revelations he sought $100,000 from a private donor.
McGowan’s selection surprised some MPs because laws disallow political staffers from campaigning during work hours, and also due to the cutting remarks about the parliamentary party during his speech.
It is not unusual for candidates to highlight a party’s flaws and offer prescriptions when seeking the support of branch members to run for Parliament.
However, McGowan’s comments create awkwardness given he now runs the office responsible, along with shadow ministers, for the policy and strategy he faulted. He gave his speech from him more than a week before the donor saga began, meaning he would not have foreseen his entrance into Guy’s office.
Labor and Liberal insiders contend the Andrews government has lost support, particularly in outer suburban areas, after years of pandemic restrictions and strain on health services. While some Liberals remain bullish about their ability to win seats, Guy is hampered by synchronous hurdles.
Inside his Parliamentary party, his leadership is being questioned by some MPs after two wasted weeks answering questions about the donor saga.
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Within the broader Liberal organisation, many conservative branch members are angered at progressive policy positions on climate change and a treaty with Indigenous people, which were pursued by the Parliamentary team to help modernize the opposition but have alienated members who volunteer at election time.
It was this exasperation that McGowan – who was Guy’s chief of staff when he was planning minister and held UN peacekeeping roles in places such as Congo and Liberia – tapped into to win his preselection. Some MPs believe his grip on the party’s issues will improve the opposition’s fortunes ahead of the November election.
A grueling fortnight for Guy, characterized by upheaval staff and tetchy media performances, has taken its toll on loyal Liberal branch members and candidates who quit their day jobs to campaign for a change of government.
“There have been people at functions in tears. They want Andrews gone, but they worry if the Liberals can do it,” one source said.
The preselection of anti-abortion and trans rights opponent Moira Deeming has created an ongoing sore. The Victorian Socialists have pledged to demonstrate against Deeming’s candidacy for her at upcoming party events. Last week, Guy left a fundraiser in Tarneit shortly after arriving and before he was due to make his speech about her. Sources said the arrival of protesters outside the venue prompted his departure from him.
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