Former Liberal member for Wentworth, Dave Sharma, emerged victorious in the preselection battle for the New South Wales Senate seat left vacant by the resignation of former foreign affairs minister Marise Payne.
Sharma secured the win in a contest involving senior members of the party, defeating rivals Zed Seselja and Andrew Constance. The former federal MP’s return to parliament comes after defeating Constance by a vote of 251-206 in the final ballot on Sunday. Seselja, who lost his ACT Senate seat in the 2022 federal election, finished third.
Sharma, known as a Liberal moderate, had previously lost his seat to independent Allegra Spender in the 2022 election. Despite this, his return to politics was supported by fellow moderates within the party, resulting in his successful bid for the New South Wales Senate spot. His diplomatic experience as Australia’s ambassador to Israel from 2013 to 2017 may have also contributed to his selection.
The victory marks a significant political comeback for Sharma, who will take Marise Payne’s seat in the NSW Senate. His win underscores the ongoing dynamics within the Liberal Party and the influence of different factions in the process of political preselection.
Sharma’s return to parliament will undoubtedly reshape the political landscape, as he assumes a key role in representing the interests of New South Wales constituents in the federal government. His successful preselection signifies a notable political shift and sets the stage for his impactful return to the national political arena.
