Constance likely to take second tilt in Gilmore after losing to Kovacic in Senate race

Former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance will likely make another tilt in Gilmore at the next federal election after losing a preselection bid for a senate vacancy.

Andrew Constance. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance will likely make another tilt in the marginal seat of Gilmore at the next federal election after losing a preselection bid for the Senate vacancy left by the sudden death of Jim Molan.

Western Sydney businesswoman Maria Kovacic’s triumph on Saturday has been heralded by her supporters as a changing of the guard and a victory against the Canberra establishment, after Mr Constance ran with the support of former foreign minister Marise Payne and her partner Stuart Ayres, formerly state trade minister.

Ms Kovacic said she would use the Senate preselection to stand up for NSW households struggling amid spiralling interest rates and rising inflation, as well as championing improved access to the housing market.

“I spent my working life helping people to achieve their economic security, and I intend to champion better access to the housing market, particularly for first home buyers,” Ms Kovacic said.

“Since I was old enough to understand what my parents had gone through, the basic Liberal values of freedom and opportunity had guided my life.”

Maria Kovacic has won Senate preselection for the Liberal Party. Picture: John Grainger

Ms Kovacic’s parents fled Croatia and communism and she ran a successful mortgage and finance business for 16 years while raising her three children.

She resigned as the NSW Liberal president last month to run for the Senate spot and last year unsuccessfully ran in the federal seat of Parramatta against Labor’s Andrew Charlton.

Ms Kovacic beat Mr Constance 287-243 after about 700 members attended the preselection ballot at the Fullerton Hotel on Saturday, after securing support in both the moderate and centre right factions.

Party sources that backed Mr Constance in the Senate race said Saturday’s result was a product of the factionalism dividing the NSW Liberal Party.

It is unclear what Mr Constance plans to do next but he’s previously indicated he plans to run again in the federal seat of Gilmore.

Liberal senator Andrew Bragg, who ran Ms Kovacic’s campaign, said she was a natural leader who would make a bold addition to the Senate.

“Ms Kovacic will be a great addition to our Senate team because she’s a natural leader with an economic background,” he said.

“She’ll never be a slave to the talking points. We need bold people and that’s what she’ll be.”

NSW opposition health spokesman Matt Kean said Ms Kovacic was one of the most inspirational candidates the party had put forward.

“She’s a value-based leader with enormous integrity and a work rate that is unparalleled,” he said.

“I have no doubt she’ll go on to make a huge contribution to the Liberal Party and make our country a stronger and more prosperous place for everyone.”

The NSW parliament will endorse Ms Kovacic’s preselection for the Senate spot.