The NSW Liberal Party sacked state director Richard Shields following a major error that left the party without candidates for numerous councils in the upcoming local government elections. Shields blamed the party's state president, Don Harwin, for the nomination process failure, but his resignation was demanded by party leaders, including NSW Opposition Leader Mark Speakman. The blunder has rendered Shields' position untenable, leaving several councils across New South Wales without Liberal candidates. Despite Shields' refusal to resign and calls for a proper review, the state executive unanimously decided to terminate his employment.