McIntosh is being challenged by conservative Penrith councillor Mark Davies, the husband of hardline anti-abortion state MP Tanya Davies. Fiona Martin in Reid, Trent Zimmerman in North Sydney and Alex Hawke in Mitchell are also facing challenges, with the outcomes set to be decided by plebiscites of local members for the first time. The rarely used intervention power allows the federal executive to step in if it believes circumstances âsubstantially prejudice the ability of the party to effectively contest or win a federal electionâ. While nominations are yet to open in the seat of Farrer, which has been held by Ley since 2001, party figures say the far right is preparing to launch a challenge to the sitting member.