NSW Liberal director Richard Shields resigns after ‘monumental stuff-up’ ahead of council elections

NSW Liberals state director Richard Shields has been sacked following a “mind-boggling” failure to nominate 140 candidates for local government elections.

In a statement issued after an emergency meeting late on Thursday night, the party’s state president Don Harwin said its executive had unanimously decided to terminate Shields’ employment over the fiasco.

“The state director was allowed to explain the circumstances to the state executive,” it said.

“This failure to meet such a fundamental responsibility has rendered his position untenable.

“As a result the state executive has unanimously resolved to terminate the state director’s employment with immediate effect.”

A civil war is brewing at Liberal Party headquarters as a result of their blunder.

Earlier on Thursday evening, Mr Shields labelled as “premature” calls for his resignation and pointed blame at the party’s de facto board led by Mr Harwin.

The powerbroker and former state minister had volunteered to run the local government nomination process, with the executive only picking the last candidate two hours before nominations closed on Wednesday, Mr Shields said.

“There must be a proper review of the nomination process to establish the full facts,” he said.

Eight local councils - including several in party heartland - will go to upcoming statewide elections without a Liberal candidate on the ticket.

More than four million people are expected to vote in September’s election.

Mr Harwin reportedly called the emergency meeting with Mr Shields and the state executive on Thursday night “to review the situation surrounding the local government nominations”.

“It’s crucial we understand what occurred and take decisive action to maintain the trust of our members and the public as we prepare for the future,” he said.

“The communication and engagement was highly lacking and the whole thing could have been averted with better communication.”

Opposition leader Mark Speakman on Thursday led a chorus of senior Liberals who were scathing about the “monumental stuff-up”.

“It’s a basic matter of competence and administration,” he told reporters, adding the state director’s position was untenable.

Mr Speakman denied it was a sign the party had lost its way but expected ongoing ramifications.

Other Liberals have attacked the 26-member state executive, whose troubles also caused the late selection of several candidates for the 2022 federal election.

Federal party leader Peter Dutton suggested there needed to be at least two resignations.

Northern Beaches, Lane Cove, Camden and Campbelltown councils are among those affected in Sydney, along with regional voters at Cessnock, Wollongong and the Blue Mountains.

Several councils overlap with safe Liberal seats in state parliament.