Up and running
Dave Sharma, the Liberal candidate for the by-election for Wentworth, met the press at Sydney’s Bronte Beach within hours of gaining preselection.
Scott Morrison and Dave Sharma at Bronte Beach Photo: Gareth Narunsky
Canadian-born Dave Sharma was Australia’s ambassador to Israel between 2013 and 2017.
Joining him at his debut media conference was Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison who attained leadership following a spill marking the end of the political career of his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull whose resignation fired the by-election in Wentworth.
Scott Morrison told media that the liberals had made “a great pick” following a the election process in Rose Bay last night and which lasted into the early hours. Dave Sharma had one of eight candidates. He pointed out that he had been brought up in Bronte.
Dave Sharma and Andrew Bragg at Our Big Kitchen last week Photo: Henry Benjamin/J-Wire
He made mention of Dave Sharma’s experience in politics, overseas diplomacy and in business. He said that there are 29,000 small businesses in Wentworth. From 2010 to 2012 he was the head of the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Malcolm Turnbull won Wentworth for the Liberals in 2004 with a margin of 5%.
Dave Sharma told media: “I’m looking forward to working with the Liberal team to hold on to the seat of Wentworth. It’s a very important by-election we’ve got coming up as the Prime Minister said, and it’s a tough one as well. I know I’ve got big shoes to fill, with Malcolm Turnbull, he’s got an immense local appeal in this electorate.
He did a huge amount of Wentworth, he did a huge amount for Australia and I do want to honour him and acknowledge that debt. I can assure you, I’ll be giving my all at this by-election, with the support of the Prime Minister and other senior ministers, doing our best to keep Wentworth in Liberal hands.”
Born in Vancouver in 1975, he arrived in Sydney in 1979 as a 4-yr-old settling in Turramurra.
Andrew Bragg withdrew his candidacy following directions that the party wanted to see more women in parliament. Dave Sharma also considered withdrawing but was encouraged to stay in the race by former prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull and John Howard.
Co-CEO of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry Peter Wertheim told J-Wire: “Dave Sharma is an outstanding talent. The Liberal pre-selectors made the right choice in picking Dave as their candidate in the upcoming by-election for the seat of Wentworth, based on both the merits and the politics. I have already conveyed my heartiest congratulations to Dave both personally and on behalf the ECAJ”.
The by-election for Wentworth will take place on October 20.
