While the party has yet to confirm Ms Sudmalis’ win, it is believed she won the hotly-contested vote during a party meeting held today.

She received 16 votes, Andrew Guile 10, Grant Schultz four and Catherine Shields one.

Ms Sudmalis, who has been working as a staffer for the past five years for sitting Gilmore MP Joanna Gash, previously contested the state seat of Kiama in 2007, running against the eventual victor, Matt Brown.