By Phillip Coorey
THE bid by the former Howard government minister Mal Brough to re-enter Parliament has taken a hit with a last-minute preselection challenge by James McGrath, the architect of the Liberal National Party's rout of Queensland Labor in March.
Mr Brough, who lost his seat in 2007, was the Liberal National Party preselection favourite for Fisher, the seat held by the Speaker, Peter Slipper, but he has been damaged by revelations of his alleged role in formulating the case against Mr Slipper. Mr Brough, who nominated yesterday for preselection for Fisher, has been accused by Mr Slipper and the Commonwealth of colluding with Mr Slipper's aides, James Ashby and Karen Doane, to lodge a vexatious sexual abuse claim to destroy the Speaker.
Bid to re-enter Parliament has taken a hit ... Mal Brough.Credit: Rebecca Hallas
After initially denying any contact with Mr Ashby, it has since transpired he held at least three meetings with him, helped arrange legal representation and allegedly received from Mr Ashby stolen extracts of Mr Slipper's diary.
Mr McGrath, a local hero, was being groomed to win preselection for the neighbouring seat of Fairfax but switched late yesterday, putting up his hand just before nominations closed.
The move was perceived as a sign Mr Brough's bid may be over.
Fairfax, held by the Liberal MP Alex Somlyay who is retiring, may now be contested by Clive Palmer, who backed away yesterday from a threat to run for the seat of Lilley, held by the Treasurer, Wayne Swan.
Mr Swan accused the mining billionaire of cowardice but Mr Palmer claimed he was eyeing off another seat. Liberal National Party sources said they had no idea for which seat but most speculation centred on Kevin Rudd's electorate of Griffith or Fairfax.
Mr Abbott and Mr Palmer have fallen out in recent weeks over internal Liberal Party matters. Sources told the Herald Mr Palmer would have lost the preselection ballot had he contested.
■ NEWS Limited journalist Steve Lewis is resisting a court order to produce records of his communications with James Ashby prior to the sexual harassment claim against the Speaker, Peter Slipper, being made public.
Lewis has filed an application with the Federal Court to set aside the subpoena ordering him to divulge all text messages, documents, phone records, emails and memos between himself and Mr Ashby from February 1 to April 27.
Lewis was also told to give the court records of his communications with Mr Ashby's media advisor, Anthony McClellan, Mr Slipper's other aide, Karen Doane and Malcolm Brough.
Mr McClellan, Ms Doane and Mr Brough have complied with the subpoenas issued to them.
Lewis's application will be heard on Friday.
with Louise Hall
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