Scott Morrison's legal win as court rejects appeal against NSW Liberal preselections
Scott Morrison has been handed a win ahead of the soon-to-be-announced Federal Election, albeit one against his own party.
A legal challenge had been initiated by Liberal party executive Matthew Camenzuli after Mr Morrison made a series of "captain's picks" in electorates in New South Wales.
Instead of having Liberal candidates chosen by local party members in 12 seats in New South Wales, they were instead chosen by Mr Morrison, Premier Dominic Perrottet and former NSW Liberal president Christine McDiven.
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Scott Morrison's handpicked candidates will be contesting the federal election. Eddie Jim
Three of the candidates chosen were sitting members of Parliament, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, Environment Minister Sussan Ley, and North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman.
If the Court of Appeals had sided with Camenzuli, it would have likely invalidated the other nine "captain's picks".
READ MORE: Morrison denies 2007 preselection allegations
Scott Morrison intervened to ensure Alex Hawke was nominated in a seat in Sydney's Hills district. Alex Ellinghausen
But the court sided with Mr Morrison, meaning his choices will be on the ballot in the 12 NSW electorates in question.
The decision comes after months of factional infighting in the electorates, which also include the independent-held seats of Warringah and Hughes.
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