Australia's most senior Indigenous politician, Ken Wyatt, has warned a preselection challenge could hand his seat to Labor.
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Mr Wyatt was the first Indigenous person elected to the House of Representatives and the first to enter the ministry. He serves as the Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health.
Just one day ago, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull praised Mr Wyatt as an "extraordinary" figure who has "a presence and a calm and a wisdom that all of us are inspired by".
But Fairfax Media has spoken to a number of Western Australian Liberals who confirmed discussions had taken place about a possible move against the 65-year-old Mr Wyatt ahead of the next election.
Preselections in the west are not expected to begin before early 2018.
Mr Wyatt confirmed he was aware his seat in Parliament could be under threat but said he would fight to stay on and contest the next election.
"I will be nominating and standing at the next election and continue to serve the people of Hasluck. I remain committed to them. I am aware that there is a sense that Hasluck is a safe seat, but it's far from safe," he said.
"I have a number of people who support me, but not necessarily the party. People have told me they will vote for me and stick with me if I run."
Mr Wyatt warned Labor's candidate at the 2016 election, Bill Leadbetter, would "win the seat comfortably if there is a challenge to my candidacy" in 2018.
He noted there had been an influx of new members to his seat, following a redistribution.
"I am aware of people who are registered in my branches who live outside of the area," he said.
One of the names being touted to challenge Mr Wyatt is Slade Brockman, a close ally of and former staffer to Finance Minister Mathias Cormann. Mr Brockman stood for a WA Senate seat for the Liberal Party in 2013 but missed out.
However, Mr Brockman said he would "absolutely not" launch a challenge for Hasluck.
"I've made no secret of the fact that if a Senate spot came up I'd look at it in the future. I have no interest in running for the House of Reps," he said.
Other WA Liberal operatives who are close to Senator Cormann, such as Christopher Tan, are also said to be actively organising in Hasluck.
Senator Cormann has told colleagues that if Mr Wyatt stood for Hasluck he would not face a preselection challenge.
Earlier this week, Mr Wyatt was honoured with an official portrait in Parliament House.
At that portrait unveiling, an effusive Mr Turnbull said Mr Wyatt had "extraordinary personal qualities" and "a presence and a calm and a wisdom that all of us are inspired by. Even our political opponents".
