The Liberal party has chosen a woman to succeed cabinet minister Kelly O'Dwyer in the blue-ribbon seat of Higgins in Melbourne.
Paediatrician and former state election candidate Katie Allen was on Sunday evening picked to succeed Ms O'Dwyer.
"I'm deeply honoured to be selected by the preselectors today and look forward so much to working hard to meet and gain the trust and respect of the people of Higgins," Dr Allen said after her victory.
Dr Allen, who lost to a Greens candidate in the Victorian state election last year, says she's looking forward to the campaign.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and MP Kelly O'Dwyer both wanted a woman to replace her in Higgins. Source: AAP
"I'm very excited by the fact that we've got a tough battle ahead."
The candidate was congratulated by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Goldstein MP Tim Wilson on social media.
"Congratulations Katie Allen on her preselection in Higgins, an outstanding medical professional and an active member of the local community," Mr Frydenberg said.
Katie Allen has won Liberal preselection in Higgins. Source: Supplied
The MP for Goldstein was also excited to have Dr Allen on the ticket for Higgins.
"It will be outstanding to have another forward-looking modern Liberal in the Parliament to continue the legacy of Kelly O'Dwyer," he said.
The doctor defeated eight others for the plum seat including NBN board member Zoe McKenzie, former Victorian Liberal vice president Greg Hannan and former Victorian state upper MP Margaret Fitzherbert.
Paediatrician and former state election candidate Katie Allen was on Sunday evening picked to succeed Ms O'Dwyer. Source: Twitter
Other candidates included Jane Bell, Michael Flynn, Jeremy Hearn and Karen Massier.
Ms O'Dwyer was first elected to the seat in a by-election to replace former treasurer Peter Costello in 2009.
After announcing her exit from parliament in January Ms O'Dwyer said she had "no doubt" a woman would replace her as MP for Higgins.
"This seat will be represented incredibly well by one of the very talented people who come forward and I have no doubt that it will be a woman," she said.
Jon Mant holding son Edward with wife Kelly O'Dwyer holding daughter Olivia. Ms O'Dwyer said she was tired of missing time with her children. Source: AAP
"I no longer want to consistently miss out on seeing my children when they wake up in the morning or go to bed at night and I want to know that when I am around, my time is not constantly disrupted," she said.
Her resignation comes on the back of a battering for the Liberals in the Victorian state election, including in the party's heartland.
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