Liberal infighting deepens for vacant NSW Senate seat, as unsourced smear against Maria Kovacic shared among members

Some Liberals have been circulating a smear message against Maria Kovacic, who is a favoured candidate for the party's vacant NSW Senate seat. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

A fresh round of factional warfare has broken out among Liberals in New South Wales over who should fill a coveted Senate spot, as the party licks its wounds in the wake of two consecutive election defeats.

Several candidates have nominated for the party's fourth NSW Senate spot, which became vacant in January after the death of Jim Molan, who was one year into his six-year term.