Margo pulls out of race for Wentworth

AS news of Robin Margo’s pullout from preselection for Wentworth filtered out this week, political pundits were left musing if there is something in Sydney’s water that makes political aspirants perform 180-degree turns.

In recent weeks, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) president has been wondering out loud whether he would take up an ALP approach for him to raise his hand for Labor preselection in Wentworth at this year’s federal election.

Just as quickly, the well-known barrister decided to withdraw from the battle for the Eastern Suburbs seat -— well ahead of the June 5 preselection ballot.

Margo is, of course, not the only Wentworth candidate suffering from second thoughts. Sitting Liberal member and ex-party leader Malcolm Turnbull stunned Canberra watchers with his intention to contest the seat, after announcing his departure from politics only a few weeks earlier.

When The AJN made contact this week, a tight-lipped Margo would not give any reason for his change of mind.

So speculation that Margo did not want to go head-to-head with Steven Lewis, a barrister and close professional colleague — they both conducted the long-running, successful contempt-of-court action against Holocaust denier Fredrick Toben — will remain just that, as will any speculation that Margo decided taking on Turnbull was a daunting challenge.

Lewis, who had urged his rival to declare his hand, told The AJN this week he had no response to make about Margo’s withdrawal.

The AJN understands that Lewis is the sole contender, ahead of nominations closing this Friday.

PETER KOHN