Ex-Ballieu advisor Gladys Liu front-runner to win Liberal pre-selection in Chisholm

A FORMER adviser to the Baillieu Government on Chinese affairs has emerged as the front-runner to win Liberal pre-selection for the federal seat of Chisholm which is being vacated by Julia Banks.

The federal seat of Chisholm is being vacated by Julia Banks. Picture: Kym Smith

A FORMER adviser to the Baillieu Government on Chinese affairs has emerged as the front-runner to win Liberal pre-selection for the federal seat of Chisholm which is being vacated by Julia Banks.

Business consultant Gladys Liu, who has been preselected for an unwinnable spot on the state Upper House seat of Northern Metro, is being strongly backed by Liberal Party President Michael Kroger and eastern suburbs powerbroker Michael Sukkar.

Ms Liu, who has previously stood for state parliament, was a special adviser to Premier Ted Baillieu on Chinese affairs.

She is one of nine candidates running to replace Ms Banks as the Liberals’ candidate after the first term MP announced she would not recontest the seat in the wake of the August coup that removed former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Several Liberal sources across all factions of the party said Ms Liu should be considered the favourite ahead of local councillor Theo Zographos.

The only other female candidate to nominate for the seat, accountant Litsa Pillios, is given little chance of winning.

The party will choose a candidate on Thursday night.