Ian Macphee - Preselection Challenge

Preselection Challenge

Early in the following year, Macphee was challenged by conservative academic David Kemp for the Liberal preselection for his seat of Goldstein (Balaclava having been abolished in 1984). This challenge was portrayed in the media as a 'wet' versus 'dry' battle, although some commentators, such as Gerard Henderson, argued that Macphee had simply lost the support of the Liberal members in his electorate. Macphee blamed his loss on his decision to oppose Howard's position on Asian immigration. This event further crippled an already divided party and contributed to Howard losing the leadership back to Peacock in May 1989.

With the next election not due until 1990, Macphee briefly returned to Shadow Cabinet under Peacock, again serving as shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, before returning to the backbench until retiring prior to the 1990 election, when David Kemp was elected as the new member for Goldstein.