SYDNEY (TIP): Former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma – now a Liberal Party politician – created history by becoming the first Indian-origin lawmaker to win a seat in the country’s Parliament in the federal election.

Sharma defeated independent candidate Kerryn Phelps in the heavily Jewish district of Wentworth in eastern Sydney, once held by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

“Down at Edgecliff Station this morning to thank the people of Wentworth for putting their faith in me. I’m committed to being a full-time local representative and I won’t let them down!” he tweeted.

“Very humbled by the trust placed in me by the people of Wentworth. Look forward to being a voice for them in the parliament and the party room”, Sharma wrote earlier.

Sharma held a number of senior positions in the Australian public service, including from 2010 to 2012 as the head of the International Division of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet