NSW Liberal moderates line up against conservatives, including Katherine Deves, to fill Senate vacancy

One senior NSW Liberal believes the party must pick a woman to fill the Senate vacancy caused by the death of Jim Molan. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Maria Kovacic has stepped down as the New South Wales Liberal party president to contest the Senate vacancy caused by the death of Jim Molan.

She is expected to face off against a wide open field, including her fellow moderate and former NSW government minister Andrew Constance.