Andrew Mathieson
LEADING Geelong business figures Frank Costa and Jim Cousins have backed former ABC journalist Sarah Henderson for Liberal party pre-selection in the federal seat of Corangamite.
The two heavy hitters in Geelong’s establishment have written reference letters endorsing Ms Henderson in the six-way race for Corangamite.
The references, leaked to the Independent, days before the vote were addressed to state Liberal president David Kemp.
Ms Henderson, a lawyer and mother, is the daughter of former Geelong state MP Ann Henderson who died of breast cancer in 2002.
Mr Costa told Mr Kemp he was “impressed by her intelligence, drive and character”.
Mr Costa believed she “possessed the hard-working qualities” of her mother, who served as a minister in the Kennett Government.
Geelong Football Club president said Ms Henderson would make a “dynamic contribution on behalf of our community”.
The reference of former Committee for Geelong chairman Jim Cousins was even more glowing, labelling Ms Henderson a person of “considerable intellectual capacity” and “integrity, vision and commitment”.
The other front-runner for preselection, Moriac IT security expert Rod Nockles, has a reference from former boss Jocelyn Newman, who was a Howard Government minister from 1996 to 2001.
Ms Newman praised Mr Nockles’ “intelligence, leadership, integrity, civic mindedness and commitment”.
Party rules prevent nominees from making media comment during the pre-selection process.
The Liberal party will adopt a new rank-and-file voting system on Sunday.
About 700 registered members will vote for a candidate to contest the seat against Labor incumbent Darren Cheeseman.
Mr Cheeseman won the seat by 1500 votes at the 2007 federal election. Labor had not held the seat for 72 years.
The Liberals lost Corangamite in a 6.2 per cent swing against the party.