Lane Cove is closer to Sydney Harbor than the Parramatta River, it is on the psh and affluent northern shore of Sydney. tale gets worse for poor Barnaby.
If Adam Marshall, Sarah Mitchell, Bron Taylor or Ben Franklin challenge, Melinda Pavey and Paul Toole may not stay mute like Littleproud did. they may be put up as compromise candidates
The numbers are behind Adam Marshall, the idea is he is good against independents beating off Torbay and Oakeshott independents. Mitchell is more capable than Toole, a Barilaro sycophantic plodder, and Pavey who struggles as a Minister.
Bron Taylor is more mainstream for the Nationals and can bring on Southerners in the Nats that would be roped in behind John.
Ben Franklin is seen as the best party worker, most capable and knows more about the constituency than the rest of his Party put together. He may not have enough votes himself but may not be able to stitch up the blocs against Barilaro who is on borrowed time.
Andrew Gee, although he hates Barnaby, voted for him as Littleproud expects his time will come after the next Federal Election where he expects Nationals to do badly in Victoria but OK without being seen as a win in NSW and Queensland (where the Lib Party Room will be get bigger than the Nats due to LNP Preselction contests and a couple of retirements).
The thinking was Joyce won 12-9 with Littleproud, Coulton and Gee turning on McCormack in spite of initial hostility to the Old Ignatian, Joyce. several gaffes turned them away from McCormack who BTW hates Barilaro.
Defections still seen as a possibility espeically in Victoria both Federal Party mainly Chester and Webster, and State, Steph Ryan amongst others who may go to the Libs or sit as Independents.
