Kelly O'Dwyer
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Kelly O'Dwyer is an Australian lawyer and businesswoman. She is the Liberal Party candidate for the 2009 Higgins by-election in the Australian House of Representatives.
Biography
O'Dwyer attended Presbyterian Ladies' College and the University of Melbourne, where she studied Law and Arts.[1] After working as a solicitor for Freehills in Melbourne,[1] O'Dwyer spent four years as an advisor to Federal Treasurer Peter Costello. She then became an executive at the National Australia Bank.[2]
On 17 September 2009, O'Dwyer was pre-selected to stand as the Liberal Party candidate for the division of Higgins at the next election.[3] This followed the decision of sitting Higgins MP and former Treasurer Peter Costello not to seek another term.[4] In winning preselection, O'Dwyer became the first woman to win Liberal Party preselection for a safe seat in metropolitan Melbourne.[5] When Costello announced his resignation from parliament in October 2009,[6] During the preselection process federal Liberal politicians Sophie Mirabella, Fran Bailey and Helen Coonan claimed that there had been a sexist campaign against O'Dwyer's candidacy, with some preselectors being told that a 'leadership seat' such as Higgins was unsuited to a woman and that being elected to a federal seat might endanger her marriage.[7][8]
O'Dwyer became her party's candidate for the ensuing by-election when Costello announced his retirement on 7 October. Costello stated that he chose to retire ahead of the next federal election as a contribution to renewal of the Liberal Party and that O'Dwyer would contribute to this process.[9] Australian Broadcasting Corporation election commentator Anthony Green has written that O'Dwyer will become a member of the federal Liberal Party's shadow ministry if she is elected.[10]
References
- ^ a b Lawyers Weekly (2009). Former Freehills lawyer wins pre-selection. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
- ^ Gratton, Michelle (4 July 2009). "Costello to endorse Liberal activist as Higgins candidate". The Age. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ Harvey, Michael (17 September 2009). "Kelly O'Dwyer secures preselection for Peter Costello's seat of Higgins". Herald Sun.
- ^ "Peter Costello's retirement draws praise". AAP. 15 June 2009.
- ^ "Costello staffer wins Higgins preselection". AAP. 17 September 2009.
- ^ "Malcolm in the muddle". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 October 2009.
- ^ Schubert, Misha (15 September 2009). "Sexism claims in race for Costello's seat". The Age. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ Schubert, Misha (16 September 2009). "Ex-Liberal minister joins sexism outcry". The Age. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ Rogers, Emma (7 October 2009). "Costello quits politics". ABC News. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
- ^ Green, Anthony (2009). "Higgins By-election". Anthony Green's Election Blog. ABC Elections. Retrieved 31 October 2009.
External links
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