John Howard says history ‘would treat kindly’ Scott Morrison, endorses potential Cook successor

Former PM John Howard says history ‘would treat kindly’ Scott Morrison’s leadership as he nominated Gwen Cherne as the best candidate to replace him in Cook.

John Howard nominated AUKUS and the pandemic response as Scott Morrison’s standout achievements. Picture: Jane Dempster

Former prime minister John Howard has said history “would treat kindly” Scott Morrison’s leadership as the Liberal heavyweight threw his support behind a potential successor in Cook, war widow Gwen Cherne.

Mr Howard said Mr Morrison’s “thoughtful” valedictory speech in parliament on Tuesday “encapsulated who he was”, praising his leadership on AUKUS and handling of the Covid pandemic.

“Scott over time will be seen in a favourable light … his assessment on AUKUS and pandemic response were first-class,” Mr Howard said, calling them the former prime minister’s “standout achievements”.

It comes as Mr Howard weighed into the Liberal preselection in Mr Morrison’s seat of Cook, throwing his support behind Ms Cherne as “the best candidate in an impressive field”.

“I was very impressed with her,” Mr Howard said. “Not just in agreement with her views but her personality was very attuned to be a successful local member and (she) has the ability to go a long way.”

Gwen Cherne ticks ‘all the boxes’ for Liberal preselection for Cook, according to John Howard. Picture: Richard Dobson

His late endorsement – members will vote on Monday for the party’s candidate in a likely April by-election – will give front­runners Carmelo Pesce and Simon Kennedy pause.

Sutherland Shire mayor Mr Pesce and the party’s former Bennelong candidate, Mr Kennedy, have been seen as the frontrunners in a four-horse race – Ms Cherne could be described as the third – and it remains a likely match-off between the pair.

The other candidate is army veteran Benjamin Britton, who ran for the United Australia Party in the 2022 federal election.

Mr Howard called the candidate field “impressive” but said Ms Cherne “ticked all the boxes”, having sat down with her this week. “She’s got an impressive record as a committed advocate of veterans’ causes,” he said.

Ms Cherne spent time in Afghanistan doing stabilisation and reconstruction work. Her late husband, Peter, who served in East Timor, Iraq and Afghanistan, took his life in 2017 and she has focused on advocacy work for war widows, veteran families, suicide prevention and mental health.

“Life’s been no bed of roses (for Ms Cherne),” Mr Howard said.

“Her life in many ways has prepared her for the commitment and public service involved in being a MP.”

Mr Howard said he was not keen on party gender quotas and that while being a female candidate was not mandatory nor crucial, it “doesn’t do any harm” to have more women in parliament.

“I’m not saying that’s crucial (gender), but when every other box is ‘ticked’, being able to tick the ‘female representative box’ is a plus,” he said, saying talent and area ties were also important considerations.

Mr Howard called Mr Morrison a “diligent” local member, “even among those who didn’t agree with his politics”.

Mr Pesce lives in the electorate, while Mr Britton was raised in the area. Ms Cherne has lived in the Shire for 13 years – albeit outside of the seat – and Mr Kennedy lives in south Sydney.

Carmelo Pesce. Picture: Britta Campion

Simon Kennedy. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Speaking the day after Mr Morrison’s parliament speech, Mr Howard said while AUKUS and the pandemic response were policy standouts, the 2019 election win was a political highlight.

“I always felt that he would be able to win if he focused on Bill Shorten’s reckless, ideological ‘soak the rich’ tax policy,” he said.

“He did that very well.”

Mr Howard said Mr Morrison’s “puzzling” multiple ministerial appointments “couldn’t be ignored … (but) a measured view will result in a positive and rounded assessment”.

“History will treat him more kindly,” Mr Howard said.

Mr Morrison is unlikely to endorse a candidate.

Mr Kennedy has support from Tony Abbott and Angus Taylor as well as some moderates.

Mr Pesce has support from state Liberal Party leader Mark Speakman, state MP Eleni ­Petinos and federal MP Jenny Ware.

It is understood Labor would be highly unlikely to run a by-election candidate, given the safe Liberal majority.