Former Howard government minister and Victorian Liberal party president candidate Peter Reith remains in a stable condition in hospital after suffering a stroke.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sources close to Mr Reith said he was in intensive care at the Epworth Hospital after being admitted on Wednesday morning.
Mr Reith, the former industrial relations minister in the Howard government, had been campaigning to unseat Liberal state branch president Michael Kroger at a Liberal Party forum when his speech became slurred.
Mr Reith and Mr Kroger were speaking at a candidates' forum organised by the Albert Park Liberal party branch on Tuesday night.
He was slurring his speech and rambling at times at this function last night. I thought he was just tired. #springst https://t.co/wfPiP9SK1x??? Kate Ashmor (@KateAshmor) March 22, 2017
Meet the candidates - @LiberalVictoria
Peter Reith & Michael Kroger#springst pic.twitter.com/zH0hxkGqfT??? Charles Newbury (@charles_newbury) March 21, 2017
Mr Reith has withdrawn from the race.
The party has reopened nominations for the presidency, with the vote to be cast on April 1.
A photograph has emerged of the candidates' forum with Mr Reith addressing the Albert Park branch.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy had been a keen backer of Mr Reith's candidacy. He had shared many of his MPs concerns that Mr Kroger had allowed alleged branch stacking by Brighton Liberal Marcus Bastiaan to go unchecked.
The 66 year-old entered federal parliament in 1984 and held the seat of Flinders, which covers the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island, until 2001.
During his time in Canberra he served in prime minister John Howard's ministry in the Defence, Workplace Relations and Small Business portfolios.
Since leaving office he has been a lobbyist and political commentator, including for Fairfax Media. He is no longer a columnist for Fairfax Media.
Some Liberal MPs have taken to social media to express their support for Mr Reith and his recovery.
Best wishes to my friend @Peter_Reith, Peter is an active Party member in Brighton and a well known part of our local Liberal family.??? James Newbury (@newbury3186) March 22, 2017
Thoughts and Prayers for a speedy recovery for my friend and political hero @Peter_Reith??? Julian Leeser MP (@JulianLeeser) March 22, 2017