Jane Hume rules out running in Higgins, rumours about potential candidates swirl

Senator Jane Hume has ruled herself out of the race to replace senior Liberal Kelly O’Dwyer, but has encouraged another woman to step in as Scott Morrison hinted at changes to help attract more female candidates.

Liberal senator Jane Hume has ruled herself out of the race for Kelly O’Dwyer’s seat but says she would love to see another woman in Higgins.

The Victorian Liberal revealed this morning she had considered throwing her hat into the ring but ultimately decided to stay in the Senate, where she has a safe spot on the ticket for a six-year term.

OPINION: Kelly O’Dwyer’s exit is a catastrophe for the PM

Victorian senator Jane Hume said she’d love to see another woman run in Kelly O’Dwyer’s seat of Higgins. Picture: Russell Shakespeare

“While I’m very flattered and gratified by my colleagues’ encouragement and support ... I can tell you now I won’t be contesting this pre-selection,” Senator Hume told ABC’s RN Breakfast this morning.

“I understand it’s my home seat - and of course I thought about it over the weekend - but I just love my role in the Senate.

“I realise the party has given my an extraordinary privilege by endorsing me for the next six years and I am very reluctant to leave the good work I am doing there.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison indicated today the party was likely to select a female candidate.

Asked if Ms O’Dwyer would be replaced with a woman, he said: “I believe that will happen.”

He also brushed off speculation Peter Costello could be a candidate, saying: “I haven’t heard words to that effect.”

FEMALE EXODUS

The Liberals could be left with just four women in the House of Representatives after the election following the Minister for Industrial Relations and Women’s shock announcement at the weekend that she was quitting politics.

It comes after the departure of a string of other Liberal women including Julia Banks, who chose to sit on the crossbench, Ann Sudmalis, who opted to quit over bullying and Jane Prentice, who lost a pre-selection battle.

There are also swings expected against the Coalition in other marginal seats held by women and speculation former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop could also quit politics ahead of the election.

MORE: Heartbreaking reason behind Kelly O’Dwyers resignation

The Liberals could be left with just four women in the House of Representatives following Ms O’Dwyer’s resignation on the weekend. Picture: AAP/Ellen Smith

Senator Hume said Ms O’Dwyer would leave big shoes to fill but her departure was an opportunity to launch new talent into the parliament.

“Personally I’d love to see a woman because I do believe we need more women representing the Coalition in parliament,” Senator Hume said.

Mr Morrison has admitted the Liberal Party’s pre-selection processes may need to change to boost the number of women in its federal parliamentary ranks.

The prime minister has denied suggestions the Liberals have a poor reputation for recruiting women and promoting them to senior roles.

“I would say that the selection process for this year’s election still has a little way to go, but those processes were set in process by my predecessors and the party, and they’re run by the party,” he said on Sunday. “But those matters are ones that I would intend to return to as leader of the party after the next election and to deal with that and put in place long-term plans to make sure we meet the commitments that we’ve set out.” Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek, who has raised three children while in parliament, said she understood the pressure Ms O’Dwyer was under. But Ms Plibersek said the Liberals had failed to make juggling motherhood and ministerial duties any easier.

“One of the differences the Liberal Party could make to make it easier to retain people like Kelly O’Dwyer on the front bench is increase the number of women in their parliamentary party,” she told reporters.

“Because when you get a critical mass, it does change the culture.”

Kelly O'Dwyer with her husband Jon, Olivia, 3 and Edward, 1. Picture: Tim Carrafa

FRESH BLOOD

Liberal Party icon Jeff Kennett has urged longstanding government MPS to step aside.

Chief among them, he says, is Julie Bishop and Kevin Andrews.

The former Victorian Liberal Party leader said Bishop has stated she wanted to step back from Cabinet, and therefore should make way for new talent.

“Julie didn’t want to serve in the ministry,” Mr Kennett told The Australian.

“Kevin’s had his opportunity and been on the backbench for a period of time. They … stand out clearly as perhaps giving others an opportunity.”

And when asked about the future of Tony Abbott on ABC News Radio this morning, Mr Kennett said he was “50-50” in his views, suggesting the former prime minister had a ‘great relationship’ with Aboriginal Australia and was working in an important bipartisan role in undoing 250 years of injustice.

Howard-era treasurer Peter Costello has also been suggested as a potential candidate. Picture: Aaron Francis

Former Treasurer Peter Costello - the former member for Higgins - has also been suggested as a potential replacement in a bid to help the Coalition fight the election.

“I think there are a lot of people who like the sound of that idea,” Senator Hume said.

“Peter Costello is an icon in the Liberal Party, his economic achievement we would all hope we could emulate into the future. I believe the Coalition in the last five years has walked in his footsteps,” she said.

“But I also think that there are a very large number of extraordinary women who have been mentioned in dispatches - people like Zoe McKenzie, the foreign affairs and trade expert, Caroline Elliot, the CEO of a successful company who bleeds blue, Jess Wilkins who is a rising star at the BCA, Katie Allen, a paediatric allergist from the Royal Children’s Hospital, Margaret Fitzherbert, former state member - so many good women.”

Strong male candidates like former state attorney-general John Pesutto would also be considered, she said.

“What we want most importantly is the very best candidate,” Senator Hume said.

REPRESENTATIVE VARIETY NEEDED: ABBOTT

Tony Abbott has weighed in on Kelly O’Dwyer’s shock departure from politics, saying he understood he decision.

The former prime minister also dismissed speculation Ms O’Dwyer might be leaving because the Coalition was staring down an election loss.

“I understand how important Kelly’s family is to her,” Mr Abbott told 2GB this morning.

“I know how heartbroken she was when her first attempt to have a child didn’t work out the way she wanted. She was absolutely heartbroken.

“All credit to her for putting family first.”

Tony Abbott said dismissed speculation Ms O’Dwyer might be leaving because the Coalition was staring down an election loss. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas

Mr Abbott, who has three daughters, added: “There is no doubt that being in parliament is very tough on families. I can understand why she’d decided she’d had a decent innings and now her family deserved her time.”

Mr Abbott also weighed in on the need for a variety of representatives in politics, saying: “You don’t want all old people, you don’t want all young people, you don’t want all political staffers, you don’t want all trade union officials, you don’t want all blokes and you don’t even want all women. I think we need a variety of people in parliament,” he said.

He also laughed off Jeff Kennett’s comments.

“The great thing about Jeff Kennett is that he never opens his mouth other than to make an impact. He’s always got something to say and it’s always direct and pretty pungent.”