Katherine Deves: Senate election tilt not ruled out

Controversial Liberal Katherine Deves reveals she has been approached to run as a senate candidate as the party reviews its convincing defeat in Warringah.

Controversial Liberal candidate Katherine Deves has not ruled out making another bid to enter federal parliament.

Ms Deves who was the so-called ‘captain’s pick’ to take on sitting independent MP Zali Steggall in Warringah at the May 21 poll, has revealed she has been approached by “senior Liberals” to make a tilt for the Senate at the next election.

Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves and Independent MP for Warringah Zali Steggall. Ms deves was convincingly defeated. Pictures: Julian Andrews

She was convincingly beaten by Ms Steggall just weeks after she was installed as the Liberal candidate by a Liberal Party head office committee, which included former Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

But the The Liberal’s share of the two-party preferred vote in the once safe blue ribbon territory took a 3.7 per cent dive to 39 per cent.

The approach to Ms Deves to run for the Senate comes as it’s been revealed that a meeting of Warringah Liberal Party branch members will go ahead on Monday night to examine the defeat and demand changes to preselection “captains picks”.

Liberal Candidate for Warringah, Katherine Deves and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott during the concession speech at her election party at Balgowlah Bowling Club. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Local party members were left seething after they were not given the chance to select

their own candidate and with Ms Deves, who had attracted controversy over her views on transgender issues, being endorsed seven weeks out from polling day.

This resulted in a record low turnout of volunteers and fundraising in Warringah.

Ms Deves told Sky News on Thursday night that she agreed with the views of the local party members and that a preselection vote should have occurred.

She told Sky’s Chris Smith that in the future, a candidate preselection plebiscite must be guaranteed before future elections.

Liberal Candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves campaigning at a pre polling station at St Matthews Anglican Church in Manly. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“When I was selected as a ‘captain’s pick’ I knew I was going to have a challenge trying to win people over who we understandably disillusioned and upset,” Ms Deves revealed.

She also said that candidates must be given enough time “in the field” to allow people to get to know them, their polices and “what they stand for”.

Ms Deves also said there needed to be a review in the party of “everything from the ground up” including “senior office bearers”.

Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves voting at Saint Kieran's Catholic School in Manly Vale. Picture: Julian Andrews

She said party members should be confident that former prime minister and Warringah MP Tony Abbott would “lead the party forward in NSW”.

When asked if about the Senate Ms Deves said she was “certainly not saying yes or no to anything.

“While I have been approached by senior Liberals, I’m very honoured, but at this stage I’m not making a decision either way.

The Liberal candidate for Warringah Katherine Deves, on the campaign trail during the last week of April. She says cndidates need more time for the voters to get to know them and their policies. Picture: Facebook (Katherine Deves, Liberal)

“I’m not saying yes or no to anything at this stage yet. It’s really early days.

“I have been approached and I’m considering everything.

“I’m just looking forward to contributing to my community and also volunteering with the party (at the next NSW election).”