A Liberal backbencher claims conservatives are bitter over her progressive stance on issues such as net-zero admissions.
Reid MP Fiona Martin told the Sydney Morning Herald some of her decisions sparked the ire of more conservative members of the Liberal Party.
This included her decision to cross the floor over an amendment to the sex discrimination act and her advocacy of net-zero admissions, she told the paper.
“The far right of our party might not like what I’ve done, but I’ve worked to be representative of the people of Reid,” Dr Martin said.
The former child psychologist faces a tough battle to xjmtzywhold the marginal seat of Reid in Sydney’s inner west.
The area encompasses parts of Canada Bay, working-class suburbs of Auburn and Lidcombe plus Burwood, Strathfield and Homebush.
It comes as two local branch heads withdrew support from Dr Martin’s campaign and an article in The Australian reported there was a staff exodus from her office.
“We don’t want to encourage directing these kinds of tactics to our own people. If anyone had a difference of opinion in Reid they should come and talk to me in the first instance, rather than orchestrated political attacks,” she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The MP said she didn’t regret advocating for progressive issues and spoke to religious leaders as part of a commitment to passing religious discrimination laws.
“I think we should think about the Australia we want to live in, where people of faith are protected and vulnerable young people are too,” she said.
