Liberal Party backs Gisele Kapterian to take on Teal MP Kylea Tink in North Sydney electorate

‘Returning a pink seat to its rightful blue’ is the catch cry of a newly selected Liberal candidate who is on a mission to win back the party’s former north shore heartland.

A Salesforce executive has been selected as Liberal Party candidate to take on Kylea Tink at the next federal election as the party plots to win back the once blue ribbon seat of North Sydney.

Liberal Party members have supported Gisele Kapterian as the candidate to contest the north shore electorate as the party looks to boost its female representation in Canberra.

The preselection vote held on Wednesday night comes two years out from the next federal poll – a move the party hopes will build momentum to win back a seat once considered blue ribbon heartland.

The early preselection is also aimed at avoiding a repeat of the disastrous preselection process at the last federal election when several seats – including North Sydney – did not have candidates finalised until weeks’ before polling day.

Ms Kapterian, a resident of the North Sydney electorate, was one of four female candidates who “put their hand up” to contest the seat, which is currently held by ‘Teal’ independent Kylea Tink.

Gisele Kapterian pictured at Northbridge.

North Sydney is one of the first seats to have a new candidate finalised ahead of the election, with the party also selecting a female candidate – Joanne van der Plaat – for the bellwether seat of Eden-Monaro.

Ms Kapterian has told Liberal Party members she was “confident” of winning back North Sydney.

Kylea Tink is the sitting member for North Sydney.

“The people of North Sydney deserve an elected representative who can offer strong policy ideas and deliver results with their values. I believe only a Liberal can do that,” she said.

“Together we can be the first to return a pink seat to its rightful blue.”

Ms Kapterian had generated high-profile support in her bid for preselection including endorsement from former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian who said: “the battle for the seat will be difficult and Gisele has the resilience skills and work ethic to succeed”.

Ms Kapterian, who was born at Royal North Shore Hospital, grew up in Willoughby and still resides in the suburb.

Teal MPs Kylea Tink, Zali Steggall, Kate Chaney, Monique Ryan pictured at Parliament House in Canberra.

She is currently an executive at Salesforce and serves on the board for organisations including the Royal Maritime Museum and the Armenian National Committee of Australia

She has previously worked as an international trade lawyer, advising governments and the private sector on trade matters, as well as serving as an adviser for three federal government cabinet ministers including Julie Bishop.

The party’s preselection process comes as question marks linger whether North Sydney will still remain a federal electorate at the time of the next election

The Australian Electoral Commission is currently carrying out an electoral boundary review to reduce the number of NSW electorates from 47 to 46 – a process which could see the seat of North Sydney abolished.

The next federal election must be held some time during or before 2025.

Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton has endorsed Ms Kapterian’s preselection bid, saying she “exemplifies the best values of the Liberal Party”.

Ms Kapterian’s policies include action on energy costs, skilling Australia’s workforce and affordable housing.

Her selection by party members of the North Sydney branch is expected to be endorsed by the Liberal Party in coming days as part of the official preselection process.