Liberals claim underdog status in Aston byelection as party faces calls for a woman to replace Alan Tudge

The Liberal party faces a byelection in Aston nine months after Alan Tudge retained the Melbourne seat despite a 7.3% swing to Labor at the 2022 election. Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAP

Peter Dutton and Sussan Ley have claimed the Liberals will start as the “underdog” in the Aston byelection, as the opposition seeks a candidate – preferably a woman – to retain Alan Tudge’s seat.

The shadow minister for education announced his retirement on Thursday, just nine months after he retained the eastern Melbourne seat despite a 7.3% swing to Labor at the 2022 election.