The NSW Liberal Party has voted not to contest the Wagga electorate at next year’s general election.

The executive vote on Thursday evening leaves the Nationals with a clear run to challenge independent Wagga MP Joe McGirr in an attempt to recapture the seat for the Coalition.

A Liberal Party spokesperson said the party had “tonight taken the decision not to contest the seat of Wagga Wagga in the 2019 election”.

“Julia Ham was a terrific Liberal candidate, who campaigned very hard during a challenging by-election.

“The decision will enable the National Party to run a candidate representing the Coalition.”

EARLIER – 5pm

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday afternoon that the Liberals’ circulated a ballot prior to the vote indicating it was NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s decision.

"The resignation from Parliament of Daryl Maguire caused a byelection for the seat of Wagga Wagga, which was held on Saturday, 8 September 2018," it reads.

"The Liberal Party selected Julia Ham as its endorsed candidate for that by-election.

"Unfortunately, the party suffered a significant swing in that contest and did not retain the seat.

"Given the result, the Premier is recommending that the party not contest the electoral district of Wagga Wagga at the 2019 state election, to enable the National Party to run a candidate."

Independent candidate Joe McGirr won last month’s byelection with a primary vote swing of 28 per cent, ending more than 60 years of Liberal election wins in Wagga.

If the motion is adopted by the Liberals’ executive on Thursday, it could create an inverse of the stand-off between the Coalition parties during the by-election.

Some Wagga members the National Party fought for the chance to contest Wagga at the by-election as incumbent Liberal Daryl Maguire left the seat vacant after resigning in disgrace over a corruption hearing.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Nationals Leader John Barilaro subsequently agreed that the Liberals would run unopposed in the by-election.

Late last month, Wagga Liberal branch president Colin Taggart emailed members urging them to support Liberal byelection candidate Julia Ham for a 2019 run. 

“I am going to propose that Julia is the only Coalition candidate running in March – I appreciate that we have to go through preselection again but it will send a strong message to Liberal/Nat HQ,” he stated.

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