Andrew Constance in line to replace outgoing Senator Marise Payne

A powerhouse female liberal senator is set to be replaced by a “two time failed” male candidate, leaving prominent Liberal women seething.

A powerhouse female liberal senator is set to be replaced by a “two time failed” male candidate, leaving prominent Liberal women seething.

Liberal sources are frustrated at the prospect of former NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance replacing outgoing Senator Marise Payne over a number of first-time female candidates.

The party has been undergoing a feminist movement in the aftermath of multiple crushing electoral defeats — but Liberal women said the momentum could be stalled if Mr Constance or other former MPs like Dave Sharma and Lou Amato win out over female candidates which include a lawyer and the former policy director to former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet.

Monica Tudehope is the daughter of former NSW Minister Damien Tudehope while other female candidates include Jess Collins, and lawyers Pallavi Sinha, and Ishita Sethi.

Andrew Constance. Picture: Jonathan Ng

David Sharma. Picture Kym Smith

“Andrew Constance is a twice failed candidate. The argument is that he is from the country but we have Sussan Ley,” one Liberal woman said.

“There are deals being done and it’s almost not worth it for people putting their hand up … a lot of people are disillusioned.”

Another frustrated Liberal said men were getting “multiple runs” before giving women their first chance.

“Essentially what each of those men is asking of preselectors is to give them multiple runs in parliament before giving a woman one,” she said.

GovConnex Managing Director William Wright said research showed the statewide swing against male Coalition candidates in the recent NSW election was 6.5 per cent while it was just 5.9 per cent when women stood.

“At its core, representatives should reflect the community they expect to vote for them, so if you don’t run professional women in safe seats, professional women won’t vote for you,” he said.

“This (running women) should be seen as less of an ideological issue and more of a favourable political strategy for the Coalition.”

Candidates are not allowed to comment on their own preselections.

The preselection will be held on November 26.