Labor Member for Bendigo West Bob Cameron claims the announcement has been delayed because of Liberal infighting that makes “Malcolm Turnbull’s party brawl look like a teddy bears’ picnic”.

Mr Cameron expects he will be running against Independent Musos Network founder Anita Donlon in the poll on November 27 next year.

It is believed former Australian Technical College principal Michael Langdon will contest Jacinta Allan’s seat of Bendigo East.

“Rumours abound that Anita Donlon is their candidate, but the Liberals are hiding it,” Mr Cameron said.

“They are hopelessly divided and blueing among themselves.”

Mr Turnbull, the Federal Opposition leader, avoided a leadership spill yesterday afternoon after it was believed a challenge would come from Kevin Andrews following a tumultuous week of discussions regarding the emissions trading scheme.

Mr Cameron believes a proposal supported by Ms Donlan and senior Bendigo Liberal Chris Earl to relocate Bendigo Senior Secondary College to the site of the former Golden Square Secondary College is behind the party wrangle.

He said many Liberals were appalled at the policy and supported the State Government’s proposal to expand BSSC on the former gaol site.

Mr Earl, who is also the chairman of the Bendigo West State Electoral Conference, said an announcement would be made on candidates next week.

He denied the announcement had been delayed because of policy disagreements.

“We have completed the pre-selection process in central Victoria and there will be an announcement next week,” Mr Earl said.

He did not confirm which day the announcement would be made, but State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu will speak at a breakfast in Bendigo on Thursday.

Ms Donlon did not return The Advertiser’s calls.

Mr Langdon declined to comment.

Ms Allan has a margin of 5.39 per cent in Bendigo East and Mr Cameron has a margin of 10.56 per cent in Bendigo West.

Mr Cameron won 50.81 per cent of the primary vote in the 2006 election, securing victory before preferences were counted.