In a notable comeback, Dave Sharma, who made history in 2019 as Australia’s first Indian-origin lawmaker, has secured a victory in the New South Wales Liberal Senate race. This win means he’ll take over from Marise Payne, the retired ex-foreign minister.
Sharma, aged 47, previously represented Sydney but faced a setback in the 2022 election. This time, he beat Andrew Constance in the Liberal Party’s vote, even though Constance had support from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.
Sharma’s win, with 251 votes to Constance’s 206, is seen as a significant return to the political scene.
Having served as Australia’s ambassador to Israel, Sharma is known for his diplomatic background and has won support from moderates within his party.
Grateful for the chance to succeed Senator Payne, Sharma aims to hold the current government accountable and address living cost challenges in New South Wales.
Sharma emphasized the importance of his role in the Senate during a time of global uncertainty. Opposition leader Dutton praised Sharma’s expertise in foreign policy, foreseeing valuable contributions to debates on global issues.
