Could outgoing NSW Liberal Party president become the next federal president – and the first woman to hold the position? She has wide-ranging respect, is impressive in the way she chairs meetings – and was the subject of remarkable and genuine praise in her farewell speeches last weekend.

McDiven has been accused of being a lightweight in her home division, but Liberal insiders say the Prime Minister approves of the idea – and what the PM wants the PM normally gets, particularly when it reflects well on his home state.