Former federal minister Dave Sharma will return to parliament after securing Marise Payne’s New South Wales Senate seat.

In a vote of Liberal Party members, Mr Sharma defeated Andrew Constance in the final ballot on Sunday.

Mr Constance, the former state treasurer and member for Bega, had been the firm favourite after being endorsed by the Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

However, moderates within the party backed Mr Sharma, the former federal member for Wentworth, who lost his seat to independent Allegra Spender in the 2022 election.

Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said Mr Sharma was a “fitting replacement” for Ms Payne.

“Dave Sharma will bring a unique perspective to the Australian Senate,” she said in a statement.

“Dave’s keen foreign policy intellect will be particularly welcome given we are in the most dangerous set of geopolitical circumstances since the Second World War.

“Over the past 20 years, Dave has sat in the Oval Office with American presidents, helped to broker international peace agreements and has first-hand experience on-the-ground in Israel as a former ambassador.”

It comes as the war in Israel and Gaza enters day 51 and day three of a four-day temporary truce which has seen Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners released.

Ms Payne resigned from her Senate seat in September after a 26-year career in federal politics. She served as foreign minister and minister for women under former prime minister Scott Morrison.

Also passed over in Sunday’s vote was former ACT senator Zed Seselja, a staunch conservative who hails from the right faction.

Mr Seselja lost his Senate spot to independent David Pocock at the last election, leaving the ACT without Liberal representation for the first time since the territory started with two senators in 1975.

Monica Tudehope had also been touted as a strong contender and had the backing of Business Council chief executive Bran Black.

Ms Ley said Mr Sharma would be a great addition to the Liberal team as it worked to win back federal seats lost to independents.

“Dave is someone who very much appeals to that cohort of voters which we need to win in 2025,” she said.

AAP/ABC