Ceilia Hammond to replace Julie Bishop in blue-ribbon seat of Curtin

Julie Bishop’s successor Celia Hammond has raised eyebrows among voters, with some fearing the staunch Catholic is too conservative to replace the much-loved Liberal Party moderate.

Celia Hammond has been named the Liberal Party’s next woman to take over the safest blue-ribbon seat in Western Australia from former foreign minister Julie Bishop.

But her selection appears to have raised a few eyebrows among voters.

The former University of Notre Dame vice-chancellor won the vote ahead of four other candidates; foreign affairs specialist Erin Watson-Lynn, resources executive Anna Dartnell, and local councillors Karen Caddy and Andres Timmermanis.

It’s understood Ms Hammond received 51 votes. Twenty-eight members voted for Ms Dartnell, while Ms Kaddy, Ms Timmermanis and Ms Watson-Lynn received one vote each.

Ms Watson-Lynn was rumoured to be Ms Bishop’s preferred replacement.

Vice chancellor of Notre Dame University Professor Celia Hammond is among the main contenders. Picture: Supplied

Voters took to Twitter to voice their concern that Ms Hammond is too conservative to replace Ms Bishop, who was often branded a Liberal Party moderate.

The West Australian reported that according to her university profile, Ms Hammond is: “passionate about Catholic higher education, with its commitment to the harmony of faith and reason, to the rigorous pursuit of truth and wisdom within a Catholic moral framework, and to the provision of a culture and community that is conducive to the development of the whole human person”.

When reappointed as vice-chancellor, Ms Hammond reportedly said: “We have an important role at this time in Australian Church history to be able to stand up and demonstrate all that is good about the Catholic Church.”

Ms Bishop congratulated Ms Hammond for winning pre-selection. Picture: Kym Smith

In a 2013 speech, Ms Hammond reportedly raised concerns about “premarital casual sex” and “militant feminism”, according to the ABC.

“So we now have an extreme right wing candidate to replace Julie Bishop - sums up the way #LNPFail are heading. Guess its time to vote for someone else #Gottago #electionNOW,” one tweet read.

“So, anti gay marriage, anti pro choice, anti contraception, staunch Catholic #CeliaHammond has won preselection for Julie Bishop’s (moderate) seat of Curtin,” another Twitter user wrote.

“So moderate Julie Bishop has just handed her constituents a person who is not a feminist, does not agree in women’s health rights - & does not believe in marriage equality. If I was one of her moderate constituents I’d be looking for someone else to vote for #AusPol #CurtinVotes,” another said.

So moderate Julie Bishop has just handed her constituents a person who is not a feminist, does not agree in women’s health rights - & does not believe in marriage equality. If I was one of her moderate constituents I’d be looking for someone else to vote for #AusPol #CurtinVotes

— Denise Shrivell (@deniseshrivell) March 10, 2019

So, anti gay marriage, anti pro choice, anti contraception, staunch Catholic #CeliaHammond has won preselection for Julie Bishop's (moderate) seat of Curtin. #auspol

— Gabrielle, The Thinking Persons Erotic Muse (@Gabrielle_Qld) March 10, 2019

But Ms Bishop congratulated her replacement on Twitter, posting: “Congratulations to Celia Hammond on her pre-selection for Liberal Party in the magnificent seat of #Curtin. I wish her all the very best in upcoming election. There is no greater calling than representing your community, your state and your country in the national Parliament.”

Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds refused to endorse a candidate. Picture: AAP

Earlier, Senior West Australian Liberal Linda Reynolds refused to endorse a candidate to replace former foreign minister Julie Bishop, as party members meet to make their decision.

It’s understood there are three main contenders.

Senator Reynolds said selecting the candidate for Curtin, the party’s safest seat in WA, was “purely and simply” for local preselectors.

“There’s always a lot of speculation for high profile and important seats like Curtin, in fact for any seat,” she told Sky News on Sunday.

“I think there’s an incredibly strong field and there are four amazing women who are running for preselection.

“I know the preselectors today will choose wisely and whatever the outcome we will have a worthy successor to Julie Bishop.” A meeting will be held in Perth on Sunday to preselect a candidate to fill the seat held by Ms Bishop for two decades.

Ms Bishop announced her retirement from politics on February 24, saying she would step down at the federal election.

Congratulations to Celia Hammond on her pre-selection for Liberal Party in the magnificent seat of #Curtin. I wish her all the very best in upcoming election. There is no greater calling than representing your community, your state and your country in the national Parliament🇦🇺

— Julie Bishop (@JulieBishopMP) March 10, 2019

INDEPENDENT LAUNCHES CURTIN BID

Multi-millionaire WA business Woman Lousie Stewart is set to take on Ms Hammond as an independent.

Ms Stewart - who inked a hefty deal when she sold her company Revive Group to pharmaceutical behemoth Apotex in 2015 - said she had discussed campaigning with fellow NSW independents, Kerryn Phelps and Zali Steggall.

Louise Stewart pictured in 2009 as the founder of Revive Clinic which helped to meet a doctor shortage by providing experienced nursing staff in clinics set up in pharmacies Picture: Alf Sorbello

But she told The West Australian she would be campaigning with a “technology” focus.

Ms Stewart said her preferences would not flow to the ALP, and expressed horror at the idea of a Shorten government.

But she no longer had confidence in the government, despite being a lifelong Liberal Party voter.

“Like probably the rest of the electorate I am quite terrified by the prospect of a Shorten government ... but I’ve lost total confidence in the Liberal Party,” Ms Stewart said, according to The West Australian.

“I don’t think the Liberal Party is going to win the election ... I’m actually providing a track record in actually working with governments on both sides.”

She labelled herself as “socially progressive”, but fiscally conservative.

‘I DON’T LIKE YOU’: CURTIN FAVOURITE’S BIZARRE COMMENTS

Tweets by preselection candidate Erin Watson-Lynn from several years ago were unearthed on Monday, where the foreign affairs specialist said she did not vote Liberal.

Ms Watson-Lynn also described former prime minister Tony Abbott as a “wet rag” while slamming him for appointing himself minister for women’s affairs in 2013, The West Australianreports

Erin Watson-Lynn, who is a leading contender to succeed Julie Bishop in Curtin. Supplied

“Oooh I don’t like you but well played, Julie Bishop, well played,” Ms Watson-Lynn wrote in 2013.

It’s reported she tweeted “disgusting” later that year when Mr Abbott became minister for women’s affairs, and in 2012, praised Malcolm Turnbull despite being a “non-Liberal voter”.

“Abbott is a wet rag in comparison to Turnbull,” one tweet read.

“Ah Malcolm Turnbull!! I am a non-Liberal voter but I’m slowly falling in love with you. Why is he not leading the coalition?!,” she wrote.

Ms Watson-Lynn also sung praise for deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek in 2013 after an appearance on the ABC’s Q&A, according to The West Australian.