Gladys Berejiklian approached by senior Liberals to run in federal seat of Warringah
The outgoing New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has been approached by senior Liberals in the state to run for the federal seat of Warringah.
Some federal MPs say Berejiklian is seriously considering the proposal to switch to federal politics, but believe she wants to wait until the investigation being undertaken by the independent commission against corruption is complete.
Supporters of Berejiklian are confident that the Icac investigation will clear her of any wrongdoing, while Berejiklian has insisted she has always acted with “integrity”.
It is understood that the prime minister, Scott Morrison, is aware of the approach to Berejiklian about Warringah, which would give the Coalition a strong chance of taking back the blue-ribbon seat, currently held by independent Zali Steggall.
Berejiklian’s state electorate of Willoughby is adjacent to Warringah, in the federal electorate of North Sydney.
Prior to Steggall’s 2019 election win, the northern beaches seat was held by former prime minister Tony Abbott for 26 years, and had not had a Liberal primary vote below 50% since 1983.
It is now held by Steggall on a 7.2% margin.
The former NSW premier, Mike Baird, had previously been touted as a potential candidate for the Liberals, but he ruled this out in April this year.
Liberal MP, John Alexander, said that Gladys Berejiklian would “be a great asset” for the party federally if she chose to run.
“I’m more thinking as a punter – what an asset she would be for the Liberal party,” he told Guardian Australia.
“You’re bringing in a very confident woman, totally on her ability, it would help to address a lack of women in the party. It would be a great thing to entice her – but she might need some time to mend.”
Other party sources said they doubted the Icac matter would be resolved in time for Berejiklian to run for the seat, pointing out that nominations opened last week. Manly barrister Jane Buncle and a former adviser to Morrison, Sasha Grebe, have indicated they will nominate in what is expected to be a hotly contested preselection.
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