The local branch has not endorsed Mr Deane's actions, but he said his motivation was ensuring the party had the best chance of reclaiming Indi, which was lost to independent Cathy McGowan. "Every Liberal Party member has got a responsibility to attract as much talent so the people of Indi have a high-quality candidate," Mr Deane said. "It is just like a footy team. "You've got to recruit talent if you want success. "If the Liberals don't win the seat at the next election who knows when we will."

Branch president Craig Mundy said he was comfortable with Mr Deane's approach. "It is not a branch-endorsed letter," Mr Mundy said. "It is the idea of Lloyd and rightly so. "We actively encourage members to think proactively in ways they think is going to help the party." Attempts to contact Mr Newman for comment on Friday were unsuccessful.

Fairfax has obtained an edited copy of the letter sent by Mr Deane, who hoped Mr Newman would be interested in talking to the local branch about reversing his decision to quit politics and standing for preselection in Indi. The original letter outlined a financial "war chest" available to the Liberal candidate to win back Indi. "We ask you to consider the matter and to check out the electorate and all relevant matters," Mr Deane wrote. "One thing I feel is relevant is that 10 per cent of Australia's army is stationed at Bandiana-Bonegilla and with your background they would love you as their representative." Mr Newman was raised in Tasmania where his parents, Kevin and Jocelyn, were both parliamentarians. He joined the army and rose to the rank of major.

An edited transcript of the letter Dear Campbell, I am writing to ask if you would be interested in talking to the Wodonga branch of the Liberal Party regarding standing for pre-selection for the Federal seat of Indi. By way of background, the Federal seat of Indi was historically a blue ribbon seat for the Liberal Party and after the 2007 Federal election our local member Sophie Mirabella enjoyed a majority of 18 per cent. However, in the 2010 Federal election Sophie suffered a 9 per cent swing against her and then in the 2013 Federal election suffered another 9 per cent swing against her and lost the seat to independent Kathy (sic) McGowan by around 600 votes.

Unfortunately many Liberal Party supporters would not vote for Sophie although we members like her personally. At the moment pre-selection has not commenced, although we are hoping it will be completed by June this year. The National Party has announced they will be standing a candidate. We had a branch meeting last night and when the matter of asking you if you would be interested in talking to us about standing for pre-selection was mentioned this suggestion was received favourably. Of course it is a big decision for you and your wife to make.

We ask you to consider the matter and to check out the electorate and all relevant matters. One thing I feel is relevant is that 10 per cent of Australia's army is stationed at Bandiana-Bonegilla and with your background they would love you as their representative. If you feel anything can be gained by coming to Wodonga to talk to us I am more than happy to organise airfares and accommodation for you and Mrs Newman. Yours Sincerely Lloyd Deane

This story originally appeared in the Border Mail