Paul Starick: Georgina Downer can’t count on her name winning Mayo

AUSTRALIA’S political citizenship crisis has created the opportunity for an extension of the Downer dynasty — but it’s not one the Liberals can count on.

AUSTRALIA’S political citizenship crisis has left Labor exposed at a crucial time and created the opportunity for an extension of the Downer dynasty.

The former Nick Xenophon Team member Rebekha Sharkie has quit parliament, along with three Labor MPs — less than a day after a pre-election Federal Budget.

Labor is now diminished in numbers and having to scramble for four by-elections (one triggered by Perth MP Tim Hammond last week quitting for family reasons).

At the same time, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten must craft a response to a Budget that attempts to trap his party as beholden to high taxes and big spending.

But the intrigue lies in the Adelaide Hills, where Ms Sharkie’s former seat of Mayo is centred. Georgina Downer, the daughter of former Mayo MP Alexander Downer, has been positioning herself as the Liberal candidate for some time.

Mayo MP Rebekha Sharkie speaks to the media about the High Court’s decision. Picture: Gary Ramage

Now, her opportunity has arrived to recapture the seat her father held from 1984-2008 and that was lost in 2016 by his successor, Jamie Briggs, to Ms Sharkie. Like her father and Mr Briggs, Ms Downer is from the Liberals’ Right faction.

The opposing Moderates, spearheaded by Defence Industries Minister Christopher Pyne, are now dominant.

Having just won a state election by burying longstanding rivalries, the Liberals cannot afford an outbreak and the Moderates will not block Ms Downer’s candidacy.

Her family history will not guarantee by-election victory, particularly when, despite having grown up in the electorate, she is prone to Ms Sharkie’s taunts of carpet-bagging.

Ms Sharkie has performed well but is prone after Mr Xenophon’s spectacular collapse at the March state election, results from which overlaid in Mayo suggest she will struggle to recapture the seat.