Preselection threat for Liberal Dean Smith over ‘negative and berating remarks’ in wake of election rout

Liberal Senator Dean Smith faces a threat to his future preselection over allegedly “negative and berating remarks” aimed at the chair of the party’s campaign committee Michelle Hofmann in the wake of the disastrous Federal election result.

A motion to be considered by the Liberal State Executive later this month calls for Mr Smith to be cautioned over criticising Ms Hofmann at the party’s State Council meeting on June 11, just three weeks after the Liberals lost six seats in WA across the House of Representatives and Senate.

It demands State Executive “express its disappointment at (Mr Smith’s) conduct” in a letter, which would also warn the senator any similar future behaviour may be referred to the party’s Appeals and Disciplinary committee — which could lead to expulsion.

Finally, the motion requests “the selection committee chair read this letter to any future selection committee when and if Mr Smith puts himself forward for preselection again”.

It was proposed by Tim Houweling, chair of the Liberal party’s powerful Constitutional and Drafting committee, and will be debated by the party’s State Executive – comprised of around 30 office bearers – on August 27.

The West understands Ms Hofmann’s debrief following the 2022 election campaign left numerous Liberals unimpressed because it lacked detailed analysis over why voters deserted the party in such big numbers in WA.

Mr Smith – who declined to comment when contacted by The West – is accused of using his time at the microphone following Ms Hofmann’s presentation “to humiliate and berate” her.

“He said words to the effect that her report… was unacceptable and waived [sic] his finger at her rather like a school yard bully as he raised his volume slowed down his speech and showed anger,” Mr Houweling wrote as part of the motion.

His tone, use of language and waiving [sic] his finger displaying obvious anger was unbecoming of a Senator.

“The senator has no appreciation for the tireless efforts of the campaign chair, whose efforts saw him be re-elected and his comments were entirely without explanation, having the appearance and character of rage.”

Mr Houweling wrote the party could not “act as if this did not occur” and that it was unacceptable for “middle-aged men to use their position, obvious strength of voice and anger… to single out and berate a young woman”.

Mr Houweling also declined to comment when contacted by The West.

Ms Hofmann featured prominently among thousands of WhatsApp messages leaked last year between members of a Liberal faction calling themselves The Clan and led by former Finance Minister Mathias Cormann and State MPs Nick Goiran and Peter Collier.

The lawyer was repeatedly referred to as “Attack Dog” by Mr Goiran, whom she joined on the Liberals ticket for the South Metropolitan Region in second spot at the 2021 state election.

Mr Smith has been among the most outspoken voices calling for reform within the WA Liberal party to weaken the influence of factions like The Clan.