Marino preselected for WA seat of Forrest

Federal Liberal MP Nola Marino has again been preselected for the seat of Forrest, in Western Australia's South West region.

The chief government whip, who was backed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to hold onto the seat, defeated Bunbury local Ben Small.

Ms Marino has held the safe Liberal seat since 2007 but her predecessor Geoff Prosser, who held the seat for 20 years, supported Mr Small.

Ms Marino easily fended off the challenge, defeating Mr Small 51 votes to 16.

The electorate, which includes Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River, has been represented by a Liberal MP since 1972.