Dave Sharma heading back to Canberra

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Former federal minister Dave Sharma will return to parliament after securing Marise Payne’s NSW Senate seat.

Dave Sharma Photo: Giselle Haber

In a vote of Liberal Party members, Mr Sharma defeated Andrew Constance in the final ballot on Sunday.

Mr Constance, the former state treasurer and member for Bega, had been the firm favourite after being endorsed by the Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

However, moderates within the party backed Mr Sharma, the former federal member for Wentworth, who lost his seat to independent Allegra Spender in the 2022 election.

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Mr Sharma was a “fitting replacement” for Ms Payne.

“Dave Sharma will bring a unique perspective to the Australian Senate,” she said in a statement.

Dave’s keen foreign policy intellect will be welcome since we are in the most dangerous geopolitical circumstances since the Second World War.

Over the past 20 years, Dave has sat in the Oval Office with American presidents, helped to broker international peace agreements and has first-hand experience on-the-ground in Israel as a former Ambassador.”

Also passed over in Sunday’s vote was former ACT senator Zed Seselja, a staunch conservative who hails from the right faction.

Mr Seselja lost his Senate spot to independent David Pocock at the last election, leaving the ACT without Liberal representation for the first time since the territory started with two senators in 1975.

Monica Tudehope had also been touted as a strong contender and had the backing of Business Council chief executive Bran Black.

Ms Ley said the Mr Sharma would be a great addition to the Liberal team as it worked to win back federal seats lost to independents.

“Dave is someone who very much appeals to that cohort of voters which we need to win in 2025,” she said.

Co-CEO of  The Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Alex Ryvchin, told J-Wire: “Dave is a thoroughly decent and principled person who possesses an unparalleled understanding of diplomacy and foreign policy, particularly as it relates to the Middle East. His presence in the Senate could not come at a more important time. We wish him great success working alongside his Senate colleagues for the good of our nation.”

Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Executive Director Dr Colin Rubenstein welcomed the election of Dave Sharma as the official nominee for the NSW Liberal Senate vacancy.

“I congratulate Dave  Sharma on his successful campaign to re-enter the Australian Parliament.

It is encouraging news that the Australian Senate will have another voice within its ranks of a politician with a thorough and detailed knowledge of national security and world politics. He will hopefully help facilitate constructive, informed debate and dialogue and contribute to wise, effective decision-making in Australia’s national interest.

 As a former Australian Ambassador to Israel and the former Liberal MP for Wentworth in Sydney’s east, he has, in particular, demonstrated a comprehensive and perceptive understanding of Israel and  Middle East realities  – and proven to be a strong supporter of Israel and the Jewish community as well as genuine  Arab/Israeli conflict resolution and mutual coexistence in the Middle East.

Furthermore, Davie Sharma has shown himself to have moral clarity and courage, including on important issues relating to the Australian Jewish community and Israel. I sincerely congratulate him on his welcome  return to national politics.”

ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said, “We welcome the news that Dave Sharma has been preselected as a federal senator for NSW. His rational outlook and his deep and sophisticated understanding of policy work make him a welcome addition to federal Parliament, regardless of which side of the aisle one sits.”

AAP/J-Wire