Concern is mounting that the Liberal MP John Alexander – who was feted as the “hero of the hour” when he held the seat of Bennelong for the Turnbull government at the height of the dual citizenship fracas – may face a challenge to his preselection.



With sensitivities about preselection challenges heightened inside the Coalition because of the recent rolling of junior minister Jane Prentice in Queensland, and possible challenges looming in Victoria prompted by a factional power shift, Liberals have told Guardian Australia that Alexander could face a challenge in Bennelong – a development one senior figure characterised as an act of “insanity”.

While party sources in New South Wales are hopeful potential challengers will be persuaded to stand down before the close of nominations on Friday, given Alexander has renominated for the seat, one well-placed figure said it was “too soon to tell” what would happen.

Another acknowledged a challenge against Alexander was possible, a development that would trigger a chain reaction in the state, but added: “There’s a holding pattern at the moment. There is general agreement that we need stability.”

Potential challengers have been circling Bennelong for some time, and there was talk early in 2017 that Alexander could retire from politics, but last year’s byelection campaign has ensconced the former tennis pro in the seat, and the Liberal MP has made it known he intends to contest the next federal election.

Labor threw massive resources at Bennelong when Alexander was forced to quit because of his dual citizenship, recruiting a star candidate in Kristina Keneally, and running a ferocious on-ground campaign in north Sydney.

Alexander prevailed in the contest despite a two-party-preferred swing against the government of just over 5%. The Liberals breathed a collective sigh of relief at the result, because the outcome was critical for the Turnbull government’s fortunes and for the prime minister’s internal authority.

On the night of the positive byelection result, Alexander declared the victory “a renaissance” of Malcolm Turnbull’s leadership.

Liberals concerned about a potential challenge to the incumbent point out the political embarrassment associated with Alexander holding the seat against the odds at a byelection, only to be run down by a challenger.

Alexander told Guardian Australia on Tuesday he welcomed democracy in the Liberal party, and people were welcome to challenge, “but if I were to lose, I would find that hard to understand”.

“I’m happy to put my record against anyone who challenges,” the MP said, noting his commitment to local projects and his successful track record as a fundraiser.

Similar concerns about a potential challenge to another New South Wales Liberal, Ann Sudmalis, have prompted senior government figures in recent weeks to make public statements of support. The treasurer, Scott Morrison, declared last week that Sudmalis, the member for Gilmore, saved the Liberal party from losing government at the last election.

In Tuesday’s regular party room meeting, the Queensland National Michelle Landry raised the issue of women and preselections in the Coalition parties, arguing more had to be done to ensure balanced representation – a point that was accepted by Turnbull.

Landry, who spoke out against the recent dumping of Prentice, has now been summoned to appear before the LNP’s candidate review committee for failing to toe the party line.

Referencing her summons by the Queensland star chamber, Landry – according to party sources – told colleagues she may as well have her say about women’s representation. The north Queensland Liberal Warren Entsch is said to have remarked in Tuesday’s party room meeting that Landry’s punishment by the party machine was “a bloody disgrace”.

In Victoria, tensions have been running high since a conservative group hit pause on preselections in the state, in defiance of Turnbull’s desire that they be concluded by July.

While the conservative group, aligned with the Victorian conservative Michael Sukkar, has, according to insiders, guaranteed that lower-house incumbents won’t face challenges, it appears likely that senators won’t be spared.