Marginal seat ‘obstacle’ to a Henderson ministry

Corangamite’s marginal status could prevent returned MP Sarah Henderson rising to a ministerial position in a new Turnbull Government, according to a senior local Liberal.
Ms Henderson won a second term at Saturday’s election after defying a national swing against the coalition, with final counting likely to leave her with a mostly unchanged margin near 4 per cent.
The former lawyer and ABC TV journalist will be among surviving MPs returning to parliament with at least three ministerial positions as yet undecided after Liberal losses elsewhere.
The coalition has previously drawn criticism for its limited number of women on the front bench.
But the uncertain future of MPs in marginal seats made them unlikely to win ministries, said Liberal state MP Andrew Katos.
“Sarah’s worked hard and she’s no doubt qualified to move up the tree,” he said.
“What makes it difficult is being in a marginal seat. I know that full well because I’m in the same position.”
Mr Katos called Ms Henderson a “very good performer”.
“It wouldn’t be a bad thing (if she was made a minister) but it’s up to the Prime Minister to determine, it’s his call should they get the numbers.
“But it’s always good to have more women in the ministry, there’s no question about that.”
Ms Henderson refused to be drawn on whether she harboured ministerial aspirations.
“All I’ll say is that I’m very proud to have been re-elected member for Corangamite.”
But she acknowledged sentiments that the coalition needed more women on the front bench.
“I definitely want to see more women in parliament and in senior roles.”
Ms Henderson was “quietly confident” the coalition would form a majority government.
“The indications today are that we’ll reach 76 seats and we may event reach 77,” she said on Thursday.
“I expect we’ll have a fairly good idea of the final outcome by the end of counting tomorrow,” she said.
Ms Henderson expected to be returned with a margin just under 4 per cent, almost unchanged on her previous election result.
She credited her “strong” local campaign for the result but also acknowledged the Victorian CFA dispute “played a role, without a doubt”.
In Corio, Labor MP Richard Marles was returned with a swing of 2.9 per cent, slightly less than the national result.