Political History
Clarke has been called a leading member of the right-wing of the Liberal Party in the media. Despite this, Clarke has stated that "I don't think there is a formal factional system operating in the Liberal Party" and that "the Liberal Party traditionally has not been a party based on factions and I don't believe it's based on factions now."
In the late 1970s, Clarke was involved on the Liberal Party's Ethnic Council, which attempted to foster the development of persons of different ethnicities in the Liberal Party, as well as oppose communism in Eastern Europe. While serving on the Ethnic Council, he supported (accused Nazi collaborator) Lyenko Urbanchich and many other members of the Council. Clarke also helped organise the numbers to narrowly save Urbanchich from expulsion from the Liberal Party after controversies arose about his past. Former NSW Opposition Leader from 1981–1983, John Dowd described Clarke as being "perceived as a lieutenant who carried out the views of Urbanchich and co in their branch stacking and endeavouring to take control of a large measure of the party."
In February 2010, Clarke won preselection against David Elliott, the chief executive of the Civil Contractors Federation to ensure he can potentially serve on the New South Wales Legislative Council until 1 March 2019.
Read more about this topic: David Clarke (Australian Politician)
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