Liberal senator David Bushby to be replaced by his sister, Wendy Askew

Tasmanian Liberals have voted on the replacement for outgoing Senator David Bushby.

Senator David Bushby has been nominated Australia’s next Consul-General in Chicago.

TASMANIAN Liberals have voted to replace outgoing Senator David Bushby with his sister, Wendy Askew.

The adviser to federal Education Minister Dan Tehan today beat a field of six other contenders that included Hobart alderman Tanya Denison and Break O’Day councillor John Tucker.

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Mrs Askew was backed by state Health Minister Michael Ferguson, who lobbied for her preselection, while Cr Tucker had the support of senator Eric Abetz.

Mrs Askew is involved in Northern sporting communities and community organisations, worked on two campaigns for Mr Ferguson and was an adviser to former Liberal Bass MHR Andrew Nikolic before he lost his seat to Labor’s Ross Hart in 2016.

Mrs Askew — who until her recent wedding was known as Wendy Summers — will fill her brother’s spot until 2022.

Mr Bushby has been nominated Australia’s next Consul-General in Chicago.

The pair are the children of former Tasmanian speaker Max Bushby.

Liberal senators Richard Colbeck, Jonathon Duniam, David Bushby and Eric Abetz at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: Kym Smith

Senator Abetz welcomed Mrs Askew’s appointment.

“Wendy is someone who will be a strong advocate for our Liberal values and will hit the ground running in the leadup to the forthcoming federal election,” Senator Abetz said.

Tasmanian Liberal senator Richard Colbeck said: “I look forward to her joining the Tasmanian Liberal Senate team and I am confident she will make a strong contribution to our state and the nation.”

Mrs Askew will be the Tasmanian Liberals’ first female representative in Canberra since Jocelyn Newman, who was first elected to the senate in 1986.

Claire Chandler and Ald Denison beat Mrs Askew at the party’s preselection meeting in September. They will vie for election to the Senate in second and third place respectively. Senator Colbeck will lead the ticket.

Sally Chandler, Simon Fraser, Richard Trethewie and Denise Fletcher also nominated to fill the casual vacancy caused by Mr Bushby’s resignation last month.

The Tasmanian Parliament will be called upon to endorse the Liberals’ choice.