Liberals push for Gladys Berejiklian to run for federal seat of Warringah

Gladys Berejiklian is under increasing pressure to run for the federal seat of Warringah, as the ex-NSW premier emerges as the only candidate who can win back Tony Abbott’s former seat.

Gladys Berejiklian is under increasing pressure to run against independent Zali Steggall as the former NSW premier emerges as the only candidate who can win back the seat of Warringah.

With the Morrison government’s re-election prospects on a knife-edge, a senior NSW government minister also said Prime Minister Scott Morrison had told factional allies he was “confident he can get her to run”.

Gladys Berejiklian at her electoral office this week. Picture: NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

Senior Liberals, backed by internal polling, say they believe Ms Berejiklian is the only chance the Liberal Party has of retaking the once-blue ribbon seat lost by Tony Abbott in 2019.

They say the desire for Ms Berejiklian to throw her hat in the ring has not been damaged by recent ICAC hearings into grants she approved as treasurer, which were pushed by then secret boyfriend Daryl Maguire.

“We don’t think what’s been presented at ICAC is anything like a disqualification,” a senior government figure said.

Liberal Party polling taken before Ms Berejiklian resigned last month showed she was the only Liberal Party candidate who could beat Ms Steggall.

Ms Berejiklian out-polled former premier Mike Baird, who has so far ruled out a federal tilt despite consistent speculation he was looking to return to politics.

Former PM Tony Abbott lost the seat of Warringah …

… to former Olympian Zali Steggall in 2019.

Separate Resolve Political Monitor polling published this week showed Ms Berejiklian’s popularity has been undented by her recent appearances at ICAC.

“She’s popular all over,” the government figure said. “She’s the only one who would win it.” Senior Liberals believe Ms Berejiklian is seriously weighing up running for the seat, having been heartened by the public shows of support since she quit.

Asked about her intentions on Friday, she offered a polite “no comment”.

Ms Berejiklian resigned in October after ICAC announced it planned to hold further hearings into grants to several community organisations in the NSW Riverina between 2012 and 2018.

ICAC has since heard phone-tap recordings of Ms Berejiklian telling Mr Maguire that she would “throw money” at his seat of Wagga Wagga.

She was also recorded saying that within “five minutes” she had obtained $170 million for a new hospital in his electorate.

Fellow ex-NSW premier Mike Baird has ruled out running for federal parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Damian Shaw

It is unclear when the ICAC will release its findings, but federal sources say they don’t expect the outcome to impact on her candidacy in any event.

The Gladys-for-Canberra push has the backing of the Left, Right and Centre-Left factions of the NSW Liberal Party, which have been at war over preselections recently.

“It would be cross-factional, no doubt about that,” a cabinet minister from NSW said.

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has encouraged Ms Berejiklian to run since she left office and Mr Morrison wants her to join his team.

“I know he rates Gladys very highly and he’s keen to have good candidates,” a senior minister said.

The timeline for choosing a candidate is yet to be fully settled, but the Libs have until December 3 to finalise preselection, which has seen most candidates already fall by the wayside.

This week the PM openly rubbished the ICAC as a “kangaroo court”, specifically referencing its treatment of Ms Berejiklian.

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