Scott Morrison backs Gladys Berejiklian to run for federal seat of Warringah despite Icac cloud

Scott Morrison and senior Coalition ministers have doubled down on appeals for the former New South Wales premier, Gladys Berejiklian, to run for the federal seat of Warringah.

Nominations for the Liberal candidacy in Warringah have been extended to 14 January, a timeline that will allow Berejiklian to consider any recommendations for findings made in submissions by counsel assisting Icac by 20 December. The submissions will not be public.

Despite the ongoing Icac controversy, Berejiklian would walk into the Liberal nomination if she decided to put her hand up.

If Berejiklian decides not to run the next best contender is understood to be Jane Buncle, a Sydney barrister and Manly resident.