BRADDON Liberal MHR Brett Whiteley is tight-lipped on mounting speculation he may become the party's next Deputy Whip, after his colleague Andrew Nikolic was dumped from the position on Sunday. Mr Whiteley spoke to new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull twice on Friday. He said the Prime Minister wanted to "check the temperature" of the state's key needs, and canvas ways he can best engage with Tasmania's Liberal MPs. "He just wanted to assure me he understands Tasmania is showing very positive signs of growth and he wants to keep the positive wheels in motion," Mr Whiteley said. Mr Whiteley and Victorian backbencher Dan Tehan have been touted as possible Deputy Whips. Mr Nikolic, who was dumped from the position after a leadership coup earlier this month, said "fellow amigo" Mr Whiteley would be an "inspired choice" as his replacement. "Any time there's a Tasmanian Liberal picked to do something I'll be the first one celebrating," Mr Nikolic said. Mr Whiteley would not be drawn on whether he was offered the position on Friday. "I've certainly got nothing to announce or say on the matter," he said. "Those decisions are made purely, simply and directly by the Prime Minister." The Prime Minister's office said they would not comment on speculation, adding that a decision would be made in due course. Mr Whiteley said he expected the announcement within days, before Parliament returning on October 12. He said the Deputy Whip position definitely appealed to him. "I've been leading, guiding and mentoring teams for the best part of 30 years. If a position like that was offered to me, of course I'd be more than prepared to serve," he said. "I think any position held by a Tasmanian member of the Liberal Party is always a plus and can only be of benefit to the state."
BRADDON Liberal MHR Brett Whiteley is tight-lipped on mounting speculation he may become the party's next Deputy Whip, after his colleague Andrew Nikolic was dumped from the position on Sunday.
Mr Whiteley spoke to new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull twice on Friday.
He said the Prime Minister wanted to "check the temperature" of the state's key needs, and canvas ways he can best engage with Tasmania's Liberal MPs.
"He just wanted to assure me he understands Tasmania is showing very positive signs of growth and he wants to keep the positive wheels in motion," Mr Whiteley said.
Mr Whiteley and Victorian backbencher Dan Tehan have been touted as possible Deputy Whips.
Mr Nikolic, who was dumped from the position after a leadership coup earlier this month, said "fellow amigo" Mr Whiteley would be an "inspired choice" as his replacement.
"Any time there's a Tasmanian Liberal picked to do something I'll be the first one celebrating," Mr Nikolic said.
Mr Whiteley would not be drawn on whether he was offered the position on Friday.
"I've certainly got nothing to announce or say on the matter," he said.
"Those decisions are made purely, simply and directly by the Prime Minister."
The Prime Minister's office said they would not comment on speculation, adding that a decision would be made in due course.
Mr Whiteley said he expected the announcement within days, before Parliament returning on October 12.
He said the Deputy Whip position definitely appealed to him.
"I've been leading, guiding and mentoring teams for the best part of 30 years. If a position like that was offered to me, of course I'd be more than prepared to serve," he said.
"I think any position held by a Tasmanian member of the Liberal Party is always a plus and can only be of benefit to the state."
