Shock Liberal senate preselection victory as Dave Sharma returns to federal politics

The former Wentworth MP has returned to frontline politics, beating a packed field to replace outgoing senator Marise Payne, with his Middle East experience helping him win the vote.

Dave Sharma, the former Liberal member for Wentworth, has won preselection for the NSW senate spot vacated by Marise Payne. Picture: Thomas Lisson

Former Wentworth MP Dave Sharma has returned to frontline politics, beating a packed field of candidates in a Liberal preselection on Sunday to replace outgoing senator Marise Payne in federal parliament.

Mr Sharma, a former Australian ambassador to Israel, beat frontrunner and former NSW Liberal minister Andrew Constance in a shock victory in the eighth and final round of voting.

Mr Sharma – who lost the affluent Sydney seat once held by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to Allegra Spender – was one of the final entrants into a crowded field, in a contest that had at one point seemed Warren Mundine’s, and then Constance’s, to lose.

Leading No advocate Mr Mundine was highly rumoured to run to fill Ms Payne’s position, but after comments about Indigenous treaties alienated some of the Liberal voting base, he ruled himself out.

It had then appeared to most, until the shock result on Sunday, that it was Mr Constance who would most likely head to Canberra.

Mr Sharma after being announced as Ms Payne’s replacement at the state convention. Picture: Thomas Lisson

It was understood the former NSW transport minister had secured the backing of the party’s moderate faction, although sources told The Australian on Sunday night they now believe they were “misled”.

Former ACT senator Zed Seselja was eliminated in the third round of voting, preceded by Jess Collins, James Brown and Monica Tudehope in the previous rounds. Former NSW MP Lou Amato, another from the party’s right, withdrew from the race on the eve of the party’s state convention.

Mr Sharma reached the requisite 251 votes to beat Mr Constance in the eighth round of voting, tallying 295 votes once all preferences were counted, with the majority of Mr Seselja’s preferences filtering to the former Wentworth MP.

Speaking after his victory, Mr Sharma said he was “privileged” to fill Ms Payne’s role.

“I would like to thank members for the opportunity to hold the Albanese government to account in the Senate over its many missteps and wrong decisions, and to fight for the many NSW households struggling to deal with Labor’s cost of living crisis,” he said.

Sources, from across the party’s warring factions, had told The Australian since the onset of the October 7 Israel-Palestine war that Mr Sharma’s expertise on the topic – which has seen him return to the public eye – helped his position, even after Mr Constance had appeared to tie up the moderate base.

“What Dave had were the skills and experience the country needs right now,” a senior Liberal source close to the winning camp said.

Mr Constance seen arriving at the venue earlier on Sunday. Picture: Monique Harmer

“He’s got a proven track record representing Australia on the world stage – big geopolitical issues are Dave’s background.”

The source said Mr Sharma would “take the fight to Penny Wong” and provide Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s party with a “shot in the arm”.

Mr Sharma’s geopolitical expertise was also backed by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, whose co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said the incoming senator had been a strong voice during the conflict.

“Dave is a thoroughly decent and principled person who possesses an unparalleled understanding of diplomacy and foreign policy, particularly the Middle East,” he said.

Marise Payne. Picture: Martin Ollman

Deputy leader Sussan Ley called Mr Sharma a “fitting replacement” for Ms Payne.

“Dave’s keen foreign policy intellect will be particularly welcome given we are in the most dangerous set of geopolitical circumstances since WWII,” she said.

Sources from across the party’s right factions, however, said the result was an “absolute shock”.

“He has been working hard behind the scenes and been across TV talking about Israel,” a senior Liberal source conceded.

“But it’s unexpected. That (providing commentary on the Israel-Palestine conflict) really did help him – he knows Israel better than anyone.”

A Liberal source close to Mr Constance’s campaign said the mood within the camp was one of “extreme shock”.

“We were led to believe we had certain support from senior figures in the moderate faction,” he said.

“It appears that certain people were misleading and working against us.”

Mr Sharma’s election means that the four NSW Liberal senators are all metro-based, a scenario lamented by regional-based sources.

“I’m gutted we don’t have a senator now representing the regions, all four senators are within 20km of the Sydney CBD,” one senior source said.

Another said that the party had “forgotten the regions”.

“I’m shocked that the party hasn’t turned their head to that as an issue,” the source said.