Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says he’s spoken to his sister about her run for the position of Sydney lord mayor.
Liberal Party sources have told News Ltd that Christine Forster, a journalist, has put herself forward in party preselection to take on independent Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Ms Forster, who lives at Surry Hills, was on a skiing holiday at Perisher with family members until the weekend, her live-in partner, Virginia Edwards, told AAP.
But her older brother, Mr Abbott, who opposes gay marriage, said he had spoken to his sister about making a run for the job.
“I have and I’ve certainly encouraged her to have a go,” he told Fairfax radio on Wednesday.
“I’m proud of Chris. I think she’s a terrific person.
“She’s been very interested in politics for a long time now.”
Ms Forster, who is a member of the Liberal Party, has previously told The Weekend Australian magazine that she supports gay marriage and believes in a republic, unlike her brother.
Mr Abbott said his sister had the right credentials for the City of Sydney council.
“She’s been a member of the Liberal Party. She’s certainly helped on campaigns. She’s a journalist of many years standing,” he said.
“She’s been a community activist and if she wants to have a go, I think she should be encouraged and I think she’d be a terrific councillor on Sydney city council.”
Ms Forster has not replied to media queries about her run for public office when local government elections are held in September.
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