Londonderry MP Bart Bassett may be ejected from the Liberal Party at the end of this month if the threat of state party director Tony Nutt is carried out.
Mr Bassett was among three MPs who resigned from the parliamentary Liberal Party and moved to the cross bench after evidence at the ICAC, but remain members of the broader party organisation.
Fairfax Media reported that if the three MPs refuse to resign from the Liberal Party they are expected to be expelled.
It was also reported that delegates to the party’s state council on Saturday were briefed on a resolution by the state executive stating that the Liberals will not support endorsement of any candidate for next year’s state election if ICAC makes an adverse finding against them.
Mr Bassett stepped aside after allegations were made at ICAC that Nathan Tinkler-associated development company Buildev made an illegal donation of $18,000 to Mr Bassett’s campaign for the seat of Londonderry in December 2010.
As Hawkesbury mayor, Mr Bassett voted for a new residential land strategy at North Richmond favouring the company in May 2011.
Mr Bassett is also seeking pre-selection for the seat of Riverstone.
Mr Bassett said preselection was an internal Liberal Party matter which could not be spoken about outside the party.
‘‘Likewise, I cannot speak about party membership decisions, although I have no intention of resigning from the Liberal Party,’’ he said.
Labor candidate for Hawkesbury, Barry Calvert said the Labor Party had thrown out its members under scrutiny from ICAC, so would expect the Liberal Party to do the same.
