Liberal senator Sarah Henderson dumped from Coalition frontbench

A high-profile local Liberal politician has been dealt a huge blow by the first female leader of the beleaguered political party.

Sarah Henderson (second from right) at a Liberal election campaign rally in Melbourne. Picture: Richard Dobson.

Geelong-based senator Sarah Henderson has been dumped from the Coalition frontbench in a move that marks a major demotion for the experienced politician.

Recently installed Opposition leader Sussan Ley unveiled her shadow cabinet on Wednesday afternoon alongside Nationals leader David Littleproud following a recoupling of the Coalition just a week after the first split of the parties in almost four decades.

Despite there being no shadow cabinet in the period between the May 3 election defeat and Wednesday’s shadow ministry announcements, Ms Henderson had continued to issue statements as education spokeswoman.

Tasmanian senator Jonathon Duniam was appointed opposition education spokesman, while fellow senator and former opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume suffered the same fate as Ms Henderson.

Ms Henderson is believed to have backed Angus Taylor in a leadership contest that he lost narrowly to Ms Ley.

Following that vote, the senator departed the Liberal party room alongside Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who controversially defected from the Nationals to run on a ticket with Mr Taylor.

Ms Henderson later congratulated Ms Ley on becoming the first female to lead the federal Liberal party.

“As the first woman to lead our party since it was founded 80 years ago, Sussan’s election is history in the making,” she said.

“With her deep experience in public life, Sussan is a strong, principled and exceptionally capable leader who is determined to help unite our team, rebuild our party, and take up the fight to the government.

“I look forward to working with Sussan, our parliamentary team and Liberal Party members and supporters to ensure we better support the values and aspirations of all Australians.”

Sarah Henderson posted this photo to social media after Sussan Ley was elected Liberal leader. Picture: Supplied.

In a statement released late on Wednesday, Ms Henderson said it was her “regret that a number of high-performing Liberal women have been overlooked or demoted in the new ministry”.

“While I am very disappointed not to be reappointed to shadow cabinet or included in the ministry, I remain deeply committed to serving the people of Victoria in the Australian Senate,” she wrote.

Ms Henderson was one of a number of Liberals who dissected the party’s disastrous election campaign as part of an ABC’s Four Corners episode that aired on Monday night.

She spoke of her frustration after having her education policy “buried” and the absence of values-based policies.

“The answer is not to move to the centre, but to move forward as one united team … continuing to bring together classical Liberals and conservatives in our great party together with the Nationals,” she said.

“That is the best and most important way forward for our party.”

Ms Henderson held the lower house seat of Corangamite from 2013-2019, before filling the senate vacancy brought about by the resignation of Mitch Fifield in September 2019.

Wannon MP Dan Tehan was given to the shadow energy and emissions reduction portfolio.

Mr Tehan overcame a spirited challenge from teal independent Alex Dyson to retain the seat he has held since 2010.

Ms Nampijinpa Price scored the outer ministry role as defence industry and personnel spokeswoman.

Originally published as Liberal senator Sarah Henderson dumped from Coalition frontbench