Ex-Liberal member Tim Wilson will contest the Victorian electorate of Goldstein at the next federal election after being preselected in the seat he lost to teal Independent Zoe Daniel.
The Victorian Liberal Party said late on March 24 it had endorsed Mr. Wilson to be its candidate for Goldstein after about 300 party members chose him from a field of three potential candidates.
A former minister in former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s coalition government, Mr. Wilson suffered a 13.1 per cent swing against him in the former blue-ribbon seat at the May 2022 election where he was beaten by former journalist Ms. Daniel.
“Tim has been driven to run for Goldstein at the next federal election by his deeply principled commitment to integrity in public service and his belief that the Goldstein community is worth fighting for,” Liberal Victoria state director Stuart Smith said in a statement.
“[Tim] is committed to strengthening the pathway to home ownership for young residents in Goldstein to make owning their own home a reality, to ensure they have the opportunity to build strong families and strong communities.”
Mr. Wilson, a strong advocate for freedom of speech and human rights, will again challenge Ms. Daniel, whose policy focuses on climate change actions, gender equality and a universal system of childcare.
Mr. Wilson was one of several MPs to lose previously safe Liberal seats to progressive independents backed by Climate 200—a fundraising company led by billionaire Simon Holmes à Court—at the 2022 election.
Ms. Daniel was contacted for comment on Mr Wilson’s preselection.
