Ian Goodenough tipped to fend off Moore Liberal preselection challenge from Vince Connelly

Under-threat Liberal MP Ian Goodenough is tipped to fend-off a challenge from Vince Connelly in what shapes as a lineball preselection for the safe seat of Moore. Prime Minister Scott Morrison is understood to have thrown his support behind Mr Goodenough — the incumbent first elected in 2013 — and Attorney-General Michaelia Cash has spent the past fortnight lobbying on his behalf. Mr Connelly, whose seat of Stirling will be abolished at the next election, sent shock waves through the WA Liberal Party when The West Australian revealed he intended to contest the Moore preselection earlier this month. The former City of Stirling councillor and army veteran was expected to run against Labor’s Anne Aly in Cowan, a battleground seat held by just 0.9 per cent. Both men will make their case to an 82-member preselection panel at a meeting starting at 7pm today, with the recommendation then sent to next month’s State Council for final endorsement. Leaked WhatsApp messages last month revealed Mr Goodenough as a member of “The Clan”, a group of Liberal powerbrokers led by former Federal minister Mathias Cormann and State MPs Peter Collier and Nick Goiran. Preselection delegates loyal to Mr Goiran are understood to be backing Mr Goodenough, as are the influential Young Liberals. Joondalup Mayor Albert Jacob, a minister in the former Barnett government, wields significant influence in the party’s northern branches but is not backing either candidate. However, insiders say Mr Connelly was considered a better speaker than Mr Goodenough and therefore would likely win most of the undecided votes on the night. The question is whether he can persuade anybody planning to vote against him to change their mind. “I want to continue to fight for, advocate and serve the people of Moore as their Liberal member for parliament,” Mr Goodenough said. Earlier this month Mr Connelly told The West that running against Mr Goodenough was “not personal”. “I respect the contribution he has made,” Mr Connelly said.