NSW Liberals face $2 million settlement over candidate nomination error

The New South Wales Liberal Party faces a proposed settlement of at least $2 million following a class action lawsuit regarding a failure to nominate candidates for the 2024 local government elections. An administrative error caused the party to miss submission deadlines, preventing more than 140 candidates from contesting the elections across eight councils.

A settlement has been lodged with the Supreme Court that would require the party to pay over $1.75 million in compensation to approximately 50 candidates identified by electoral analyst Ben Raue as having a high likelihood of success. Additional terms include reimbursing victims for three years of party membership fees, waiving nomination fees for the 2028 local elections, and providing $2,250 in campaign funding for each affected candidate's contest.

If approved, the party must also issue a “suitably worded apology.” A Supreme Court hearing to consider the settlement is scheduled for December 11. The financial burden arrives as the party prepares for the upcoming March state election.