Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has whole heartedly backed Lindsay MP Melissa McIntosh in the upcoming Liberal pre-selection battle.
McIntosh is set to face Penrith’s Deputy Mayor Mark Davies in a pre-selection fight ahead of the next Federal Election.
Dutton last week appointed McIntosh to the Shadow Ministry, giving her the roles of Western Sydney and Energy Affordability.
The Opposition Leader spoke at a press conference in Penrith on Tuesday where he said he backed McIntosh for pre-selection.
“Not only do I back her [McIntosh] in the pre-selection but I would say to all people, in what’s a democratic process, I urge them strongly to back and vote for Melissa,” Dutton said.
“In our party, pre-selections can be contested anywhere… But there is not an outcome that I will accept where Melissa is not the candidate in the next election.
“I want to be very clear about that, she’s a great candidate, she’s an integral part of our team.”
Dutton expressed his excitement at having McIntosh in Shadow Ministry discussions.
“I am absolutely thrilled and excited to have Melissa in her new role,” Dutton said.
“[She is] a great communicator, that’s meant she is not only a wonderful local member but also a very significant contributor to our Shadow Ministry discussions.
“She has a good read on and a good connection with what people are thinking and that’s why she is an integral part of our success.”
Of her new role as Shadow Minister for Western Sydney and Energy Affordability, McIntosh said she has heard alarming stories of energy costs.
“Cost-of-living and energy costs are the number one issue for people living in my community right across western Sydney,” McIntosh said.
“Really worryingly, I heard from a food bank this morning who are feeding more people than ever, people who have never walked through the doors, and now they’ve said they have started to pay people’s electricity bills.”
McIntosh took aim at her Labor counterparts, saying they have forgotten about western Sydney.
“Labor has forgotten about the people of western Sydney, or worst still they just don’t care,” McIntosh said.
“Small businesses are struggling, families are struggling, major infrastructure cuts of billions of dollars when we have an international airport just a couple of years away.
“People deserve better in western Sydney.”
