This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/24/eden-monaro-byelection-fiona-kotvojs-wins-liberal-party-preselection

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Eden-Monaro byelection: Fiona Kotvojs wins Liberal party preselection Eden-Monaro byelection: Fiona Kotvojs wins Liberal party preselection
(about 7 hours later)
Former teacher, scientist and small business operator was only narrowly beaten to seat by Labor MP Mike Kelly at the 2019 electionFormer teacher, scientist and small business operator was only narrowly beaten to seat by Labor MP Mike Kelly at the 2019 election
Dr Fiona Kotvojs has decisively won a vote of Liberal party members in the contest to become the party’s candidate for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro. Scott Morrison has thrown his full support behind Liberal candidate Fiona Kotvojs for the vacant federal seat of Eden-Monaro, saying she knows how to get things done.
Kotvojs, a former teacher, scientist and small business operator from Dignams Creek, won preselection on Saturday night over defence department official Mark Schweikert.Kotvojs, a former teacher, scientist and small business operator from Dignams Creek, won preselection on Saturday night over defence department official Mark Schweikert.
It means she will become the Liberal candidate in the upcoming byelection, subject to party endorsement. She has been given a second chance to have a crack at federal politics after narrowly losing to Labor’s Mike Kelly a year ago in the federal election.
The Eden-Monaro seat was left vacant after the retirement of Labor MP Mike Kelly, who narrowly beat Kotvojs in the 2019 election. Kelly stood down from the seat earlier this month due to health reasons.
Earlier this month, the announcement of a byelection sparked tension between New South Wales frontbenchers John Barilaro and Andrew Constance, after both Coalition MPs pulled out of the race. A date hasn’t been set for the byelection but it is expected in late June or early July.
“I’m so pleased that she received that overwhelming endorsement of our local party members,” the prime minister told reporters in Murrumbateman, in the seat of Eden-Monaro on Sunday.
“This is someone who knows how to get things done.”
He said she now wanted to lead the way back for the people of Eden-Monaro from drought, bushfires and the coronavirus as their representative.
Kotvojs said it was an honour to stand in the seat again.
“My community is who I am,” she said. “It has formed me and as a consequence of that, I give back to the community and I see that as critically important.”
She will up against Labor’s Kristy McBain, the former Bega mayor, who hit the campaign trail earlier this month.
The byelection sparked tension between NSW government frontbenchers John Barilaro and Andrew Constance, before both Coalition MPs pulled out of the race.
Constance – the Liberal transport minister – withdrew only 24 hours after seeking preselection when a newspaper front page revealed Barilaro had used a crude word to describe him to colleagues.Constance – the Liberal transport minister – withdrew only 24 hours after seeking preselection when a newspaper front page revealed Barilaro had used a crude word to describe him to colleagues.
Barilaro – the state Nationals leader and deputy premier – had previously announced he wouldn’t be contesting the seat.Barilaro – the state Nationals leader and deputy premier – had previously announced he wouldn’t be contesting the seat.
Labor has preselected former Bega mayor Kristy McBain, who hit the campaign trail earlier this month.
Nationals leader Michael McCormack, meanwhile, has said his party has not yet given up on running a candidate.
A date hasn’t been set for the byelection but it is expected in late June or early July.