Federal election 2022: Maria Kovacic announced as Parramatta’s Liberal candidate

After months of speculation, the Liberal candidate for the key seat of Parramatta has been revealed, along with other NSW hopefuls picked by an executive committee.

The Liberal Party has finally announced that Maria Kovacic will contest the federal election for the marginal seat of Parramatta.

Speculation has been rife about who would be picked for the seat since Labor’s Julie Owens announced her retirement in October and months of infighting in the party.

On Saturday, the Liberal Party issued a statement to announce its committee had selected and endorsed candidates for several seats, including Parramatta, which Labor holds with a slim 3.5 per cent margin.

Ms Kovacic’s selection has ruled structural engineer and perennial candidate Charles Camenzuli and former Hornsby councillor Felicity Findlay out of contention following the committee’s “captain pick’’, which eliminated the chance for members to preselect their preferred candidate.

Ms Kovacic, of West Pennant Hills, was an ANZ franchisee for 16 years, is a chair for the Hills Community Aid, on the steering committee of the Parramatta Eels Women@Eels and is president of the Berowra Federal Electorate Conference and Hornsby State Electoral Conference.

Maria Kovacic is Parramatta’s Liberal candidate. Picture: Toby Zerna

Maria Kovacic co-founded advocacy group Western Sydney Women with Amanda Rose. They are pictured in 2016. Picture: Braden Fastier

She is a founding director of Western Sydney Women with Amanda Rose and is married with two children.

“Years ago, I began my own business to ensure financial security for my children,” Ms Kovacic said in a statement.

“Working hard to support my children, it was tough going trying to balance the demands of a small business and family

“But I persevered, built a thriving finance business and used the lessons that I had learned to help others through the Franchise Council of Australia and Hills Community Aid.”

Ms Kovacic said she was also committed to helping women succeed in business and community roles.

“If elected, I will be a strong advocate for this community in the Morrison Government – helping to deliver infrastructure, amenities and support for small businesses and local families.”

The Liberals have not held Parramatta since Ross Cameron held office from 1996 to 2004.

Ms Kovacic will run against Labor’s Andrew Charlton, whose selection has caused a furore after it was revealed he is a Bellevue Hill millionaire with no ties to Parramatta.

Federal Opposition leader Anthony Albanese and Parramatta’s Labor contender Andrew Charlton.

As well as Parramatta, the Liberal committee endorsed Dr Jerry Nockles for Eden-Monaro, Wenjie Zhang for Grayndler, Jenny Ware for Hughes, Vivek Singha for McMahon, Katrina Wark for Newcastle and Katherine Deves for Warringah.

Courtney Nguyen will take on former Labor premier Kristina Keneally in an effort to win the southwest Sydney seat of Fowler, while at Greenway, which neighbours Parramatta, Pradeep Pathi will go against incumbent MP Michelle Rowland.

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