Dave Sharma endorsed to run again as Liberal candidate for Wentworth
Wentworth candidate Dave Sharma has issued a plea to disaffected Liberal Party voters not to desert the party as he prepares to face the electorate for a second time at the likely May federal election.
Wentworth candidate Dave Sharma has issued a plea to disaffected Liberal Party voters not to desert the party as he prepares to face the electorate for a second time at the likely May federal election.
Convening a press conference in Sydney after receiving unanimous support from the party’s state executive to run again, Mr Sharma said he understood the challenges that lay ahead.
“A big sense of deja vu,” he said.
“I am delighted to be selected and reindorsed as Liberal candidate for Wentworth, but I am under no illusions about the sort of tough campaign we are going to face both here in Wentworth and at a national level, but it is important if the Liberals are to remain a strong political force then we have to win back this seat.
“I know there is some fatigue and disaffection with the Liberal Party at the moment and I certainly felt that in Wentworth at the last time around during the by-election. I would just say to those people: Get involved. Help rebuild the party. Select the candidates you want to see in parliament. Support them. Get involved in the policy debates. Don’t desert the party. Put your shoulders to the wheel as I’m seeking to do and get involved.”
The diplomat turned businessman lost the prized blue-ribbon seat held by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to independent Kerryn Phelps in a by-election.
A party source said the endorsement of the former public servant was a “no-brainer” with his loss attributed to the leadership turmoil that had enveloped is campaign in October.
“Voters will now have an opportunity to get to know Mr Sharma and what he stands for without the distraction of leadership dramas,” the source said.
The result triggered an immediate Tweet from Prime Minister Scott Morrison who described Mr Sharma as “an outstanding Liberal”.
“I’m looking forward to campaigning with him for lower taxes and a stronger economy,” he tweeted.
Dr Kerryn Phelps said the challenge Mr Sharma faced was having to represent a government that not only had “lurched to the right”, but was beset with poor policies.
“The main problem the Liberal candidate for Wentworth must face is that he has to represent the Morrison government, it’s poor policies, and the party’s lurch to the right,” she said.
“My worst suspicions of the government were confirmed in my first week of parliament — policy paralysis on climate change, disrespectful behaviour towards other MPs and an almost palpable feeling that change is coming.”
Mr Sharma said he believed the contest would differ this time around as voters would be focusing on national issues rather than the ousting of Malcolm Turnbull.
“There was definitely a protest vote last time around,” he said.
“That’s not to say there won’t be one again this time, but I expect people will be looking more towards the future at a general election, looking at the choice they’ve got between a Liberal government and a Labor government.”
As for whether he would be enlisting Mr Turnbull’s support, Mr Sharma said he respected Mr Turnbull’s desire to remain a private citizen.
“If he wants to come out and campaign with me, I’d certainly welcome that,” he said.
When asked about Tony Abbott on being open to becoming prime minister again, Mr Sharma said his support was firmly behind Mr Morrison.
“My view is we should be supporting the sitting prime minister and the leader of the party so I’d be putting my support behind Scott Morrison,” he said.
Meanwhile, Melissa McIntosh has been preselected as Liberal candidate for the battleground seat of Lindsay.
She is likely to face off against former NSW Labor minister Di Beamer who is set to be endorsed next week.
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