What next for Kristina Keneally?

KRISTINA Keneally lost her crucial by-election this weekend, but there is plenty of speculation around that she is heading to Canberra anyway.

KRISTINA Keneally gave up her job at Macquarie University and stood aside from her on-air gig at Sky News to have a crack at federal politics and run in the Bennelong by-election.

Now that voters have decided they don’t want the Labor hopeful representing them, the question on everyone’s lips is, what will she do next?

The former NSW premier has not ruled out having another go at a federal parliamentary role after Saturday’s failed by-election.

There is speculation Ms Keneally will still end up in Canberra after she lost the tough contest despite a two-party preferred swing of around five per cent swing to Labor.

Ms Keneally refused during the last week of the campaign to rule out an interest in filling the Senate vacancy created by Sam Dastyari’s resignation.

Even though she lost the race to represent the people of Bennelong, Kristina Keneally could still end up with a seat in federal parliament. Picture: Ben Rushton/AAP

When asked about it during the campaign, she said: “I am here running as a candidate for Bennelong. The only thing I’ve been offered by Bill Shorten is to be Labor’s candidate for Bennelong.”

Senator Dastyari announced last week he would not return to Canberra next year amid intense scrutiny of his involvement with a Chinese businessman who has made donations to both major political parties.

Political commentators have said Ms Keneally would be a great asset for Labor in Canberra.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Ms Keneally would be treated with respect if she were recruited to the Senate.

“If the Labor Party choose to send Kristina Keneally to Canberra, she will get the same respect as every Senator does,” he told reporters at a Sunday press conference in Bennelong.

“Mutual respect — there should be more of it.”

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, picture with the returned member for Bennelong, John Alexander, said Ms Keneally would be respected if she became a senator. Picture: Paul Braven/AAP

Ms Keneally thanked voters and campaign volunteers on social media early Sunday morning, but has not made a public appearance since Saturday night.

While she resigned from her role as director of gender inclusion at Macquarie University’s graduate school of management, she is still employed by Sky News as a contributor and host on “leave without pay”, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She has previously held university roles and board positions, and was chief executive officer of Basketball Australia after quitting state politics in 2012.

As for the possible Senate role, any possible appointment won’t be confirmed until the new year.

The casual vacancy created by Senator Dastyari’s resignation will be filled by the Labor Party, but has to be ratified by a sitting of the NSW parliament which won’t happen until next year.