Tim Wilson: New contender for Liberal leadership

As the battle for the Liberals’ leadership heats up, a new hat may be tossed into the ring from someone who said they weren’t elected “just to sit around”.

A shock new candidate may be about to join the battle as the Liberals continue to search for their new leader following the party’s biggest election loss since inception.

Tim Wilson was one of his party’s few success stories, regaining the Melbourne seat of Goldstein for the party after beating teal independent Zoe Daniel.

If he puts his hand up to run as the next leader, the 45-year-old will go up against Angus Taylor and Sussan Ley.

Mr Wilson is expected to announce his decision on Monday.

A marriage equality advocate and economic conservative, Mr Wilson told Sky News last week that running for leader was an option

Tim Wilson may run for the Liberal leadership. Picture: NewsWire/ Nadir Kinani

“I’m immensely privileged to have been in the position that I’ve got to. I’ve seen my name being bandied around, but I’m literally just focused on the task at hand,” he said.

“But I want to make this clear, I didn’t go back into parliament just to sit around. I got elected because I believe this country has a bold, ambitious, Liberal future.

“I’ve got an open mind about these things, but the reality is I am very much focused on how I can play part of a role as a team because what I want is a bold, confident Liberal Party that projects an alternative Liberal vision for this country that builds out the policy stepping stones to get there.

The MP said he remained ‘focused’ on projecting an ‘alternative Liberal vision’ for Australia. Picture: NewsWire/ Nadir Kinani

“And that’s what I’m looking for from all of the leadership candidates who are putting themselves forward.”

Liberal senator Dave Sharma said he was aware of the reports, with Mr Wilson’s involvement ultimately coming down to the decision of the party room.

“Clearly, we all wear some culpability for the loss, the people at the top of the leadership but also people like me,” he told Sunrise on Monday morning.

“I’m looking for whoever can help bring the party together, analyse our problems and be on fest about some of those and offer a way forward.

“I’m not sure who that will be just yet.”

Mr Wilson has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Tim Wilson: New contender for Liberal leadership