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Factional warriors are planning to defy Malcolm Turnbull's authority by pushing ahead with a preselection showdown in Craig Kelly's safe seat of Hughes in Sydney's south.
Moderates were last night stepping up plans to run a challenger in the seat and told The Australian it was the only straight factional contest available in the state after Angus Taylor in Hume and NSW senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells were promoted.
The Prime Minister wrote to the Liberal Party's acting NSW director Simon McInnes on Sunday to endorse Mr Kelly and recommend that he be "re-endorsed as the Liberal candidate".
Former prime minister Tony Abbott seized on the letter yesterday, warning the emergence of another contender in Hughes would be seen as a challenge to Mr Turnbull's authority. He said it was "almost inconceivable" there would be a Liberal preselection challenge after Mr Turnbull put his authority on the line to protect Mr Kelly.
"Craig Kelly is an outstanding local MP and a fine contributor to the partyroom in Canberra," Mr Abbott told The Australian. "Craig took...