Former NSW Liberal leads overhaul of One Nation candidate selection process

Exclusive: Mark Jones, once on track for one of the Liberal party’s most powerful roles, is now instrumental in One Nation’s expansion Get our daily political email, free app or daily news podcast In 2023, a young and ambitious Liberal moderate was on the brink of securing one of the most powerful roles in the party: state director of the New South Wales branch. Three years later, he is playing a key role in selecting and vetting One Nation candidates determined to beat his former colleagues. Multiple Liberal sources familiar with recruitment for the position, which involves running election campaigns and managing fundraising, confirm Mark Jones was among the final three candidates for the role before his career advancement was ultimately blocked. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here