Dr Monique Ryan versus Dr Susan Morris? We’d pay good money to watch that.
Teal independent member for Kooyong Dr Monique Ryan may face a challenge from none other than Australia’s first female vascular surgeon, Dr Susan Morris.
The battle of the two medical heavyweights will come to pass if Dr Morris wins the Liberal preselection stoush in the wealthy inner Melbourne suburb.
In a Facebook post over the weekend Dr Morris wrote: “Well, this is the night which may well change my life as I have decided to accept the preselection for the federal seat of Kooyong!
“Although I have been a Liberal Party member for some years and have advocated during covid for health issues, I have now decided to do more for the community than make a difference for one person’s life.
“As a surgeon, I hope the attributes of leadership, integrity and determination with thick skin will hold me in good esteem!”
Dr Morris has not yet lodged her nomination form, according to Nine media. She has until 15 January to do so.
Already nominated is Amelia Hamer, a former employee of senior Liberal senator Jane Hume. Ms Hamer, 30, is the grand-niece of former Victorian premier Sir Rupert “Dick” Hamer. Her grandfather, David Hamer, was a senator for Victoria and lived in Hawthorn, while her great-grandfather, Sir William McPherson, was Victorian premier in the late 1920s.
She is director of strategy at tech start-up, Airwallex, began her career at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and studied philosophy, politics and economics at the University of Oxford.
Dr Ryan defeated former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg for the seat in 2022 and holds it with a 3% margin. According to the media, Karen Sobels, the former first female president of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also being encouraged to nominate.
Dr Ryan’s first term has had its rough patches, most notably her legal fight with former chief of staff, Sally Rugg, which ended in a quiet settlement and no admission of fault.
