Ousted Victorian MP in bid to run in by-election triggered by Alan Tudge’s resignation

The person who could replace former cabinet minister Alan Tudge after his shock resignation has been named as an ousted MP.

One-time Victorian MP Cathrine Burnett-Wake could replace ex-cabinet minister Alan Tudge as the member for Aston.

Ms Burnett-Wake has confirmed she will run for Liberal preselection after Mr Tudge’s resignation from federal parliament triggered a by-election in the suburban seat in Melbourne’s east.

She missed out on preselection for the party before the Victorian state election in November despite having the direct backing of federal party leader Peter Dutton.

Former education minister Alan Tudge has triggered a by-election in Aston. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Announcing her ambition to run for Aston in a statement posted to social media, Ms Burnett-Wake said she had been “overwhelmed” by encouragement and support.

“I look forward to being considered by the Liberal Party for the honour of being the candidate and for the opportunity to represent the Aston community,” she said.

“I believe my community ties, career and lived experience put me in the best position to retain the seat for the party.”

Ms Burnett-Wake said her local connections to Aston “run deep”, noting the region she used to represent in state parliament overlapped with the federal electorate.

Mr Tudge announced last week he would bow out of politics after nearly 13 years as Aston MP, citing health and family reasons after reporting death threats against his teenage daughters.

Former Liberal MP Cathrine Burnett-Wake will run for preselection to replace outgoing MP Alan Tudge in the Victorian seat of Aston. Picture: Supplied/ Jesse Graham

The former education minister weathered a swing towards the Labor Party to narrowly retain the outer Melbourne seat for the Liberal Party at the 2022 federal election.

Over the weekend, Mr Dutton is reported to have strongly encouraged the Liberals’ Victorian branch to preselect a woman to run in the Aston by-election.

Ms Burnett-Wake was a member of the state’s Legislative Council for the Eastern Victoria Region for just under a year.

She filled an upper house vacancy triggered by the resignation of Edward O’Donohue in December 2021 and held the seat until she was ousted during the preselection process before the state election in November.

She was ditched from the Liberals’ upper house ticket and replaced by controversial Pentecostal candidate Renee Heath.

The Liberal Party will now decide if it will appoint a candidate for the Aston by-election or if there will be a preselection contest.

Originally published as Ousted Victorian MP in bid to run in by-election triggered by Alan Tudge’s resignation