Liberal women jostling for deputy leadership role

Liberal women may be the largest group jostling for the party’s deputy role amid growing calls for the wounded Coalition partner to acknowledge they had been abandoned by “professional” women.

Liberal women may be the largest group jostling for the party’s deputy leadership amid growing calls for the wounded Coalition partner to acknowledge they had been abandoned by “professional” women.

It comes as numerous Liberals publicly declared their support for former Defence Minister Peter Dutton to take the reins as leader--- paving the way for him to be chosen unopposed.

Two Liberal women — Queensland’s Karen Andrews and Tasmania’s Bridget Archer — have already declared their interest in the deputy leadership.

South Australia’s Senator Anne Ruston and former Superannuation Minister Jane Hume have also been flagged by insiders as competent picks.

Outgoing Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews has shown interest in the leadership role. Picture: Mike Batterham

While some Liberals have warned the party cannot “out left the left” and should consider veering further to the right, the remaining moderates have cautioned against it.

Gold Coast based MP Angie Bell, a moderate, said now was the time for “political realignment to the middle ground where there is a medium for all Australians to prosper, grow and live harmoniously together”

She also called for the party to “include more talented women in positions of authority and decision making”.

Ms Andrews, speaking on 4BC on Monday, conceded professional well educated women who had previously supported the Liberals had abandoned the party.

Tasmania’s Bridget Archer is also bidding for the spot.

“Now we’ve got a lot of work to do, to make sure we are properly representing the views of women, professional women,” she said.

Liberal MP Alan Tudge was the first to nail his flag to the mast for Mr Dutton saying the Queenslander “will be the leader”.

Another Liberal-aligned MP said Mr Dutton had the “full suite of requirements” to be leader — including cut through, leadership capacity, experience and pragmatism.

The MP suggested those concerned about a further shift to the right under Mr Dutton should “suck that one up” because the senior Queenslander would have “proven himself” by the next election.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson, who managed to increase his primary vote by nearly 10 per cent amid a brutal swing against his colleagues elsewhere, said he “strongly” supported Mr Dutton as the next leader.

Liberal MPs are throwing support behind Former Defence Minister Peter Dutton as the party’s next leader. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I think (Mr Dutton) has been in parliament for some time … he’s someone who listens to people on the ground on what is needed and he is someone that brings people together,” he said.

Mr Thompson said the former Defence Minister, despite public perceptions, was “extremely caring” and had a “bit of a sense of humour behind him”.

Asked if a woman should be the next deputy leader, Mr Thompson said the job should go to the “best person for the role” and the pool of candidates would include “a lot of talented women”.

Queensland Senator Paul Scarr said Mr Dutton had a “great deal to offer”, engendered “great loyalty” and demonstrated Liberal values.

Originally published as Liberal women jostling for deputy leadership role