The doctor hoping to replace outgoing federal government minister Kelly O'Dwyer in her blue ribbon Victorian electorate is proof that women have faith in the Liberal Party, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
Pediatrician and former state election candidate Katie Allen was picked to succeed Ms O'Dwyer on Sunday.
"Her victory yesterday, a very substantial one in the seat of Higgins, demonstrates the vote of confidence that people of real talent, women of real women talent, are putting in the Liberal party," Mr Morrison told Seven's Sunrise on Monday.
His comments come after former foreign minister Julie Bishop announced last week she too would be standing down at the election.
Asked about the need to boost the number of women in the Liberal ranks, Mr Morrison said it's an issue the party will need to deal with "in the future".
But he stressed the coalition has selected 19 women for "key roles" since he took the top job in August, including women who are in line to replace men in the Senate at the next election, expected in May.
"I am pleased at the number of women who have stepped forward in the last six months to take on these roles, and they are high-quality and they are great candidates and they are there absolutely on merit."
Dr Allen said on Sunday it was an honour to be pre-selected for Higgins.
But she knows how hard winning an election can be. The doctor was the Liberal candidate for Prahran in Victoria's state election last year.
That seat was retained by the Greens and encompasses some parts of the federal Higgins electorate.
"I'm very excited by the fact that we've got a tough battle ahead," she told reporters on Sunday.
Ms O'Dwyer has previously stressed she expected a woman to replace her in the seat but she wouldn't be drawn on the issue of gender.
"It was important to get the very best person for the job and the very best person is Katie Allen," the jobs minister said.
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