Gisele Kapterian has emerged as one of the most intriguing figures in Australian politics in 2025. A lawyer, policy adviser, and technology executive, she brought a mix of intellect and modernity to the Liberal Party’s campaign in the seat of Bradfield. Her story blends global experience, public service, and resilience through one of the tightest election battles in Australian history.
Early Life and Education
Born at Royal North Shore Hospital and raised in North Willoughby on Sydney’s North Shore, Gisele Kapterian grew up in a migrant family that valued hard work and education. Those roots shaped her understanding of opportunity and fairness, themes that would later anchor her political voice.
She studied a Bachelor of Arts and Law (Honours) at Macquarie University before winning a Commonwealth Trust Scholarship to study law at the University of Cambridge. Her studies and early career choices show a commitment to international engagement and public policy.
Professional Journey
Kapterian began her career in international trade law, working in Geneva and London, including a period at the World Trade Organization. That global exposure helped her develop expertise in the complex intersection of trade, regulation, and technology.
Back in Australia, she served as a senior policy adviser to three federal Cabinet Ministers, working across portfolios that dealt with economic and international matters. Her years in Canberra provided an inside view of how policy decisions shape national outcomes.
Later, she joined Salesforce Inc. as Director of Public Sector Strategy for the Asia-Pacific region. In this role, she focused on how governments can modernise service delivery and adopt digital tools to improve citizen experiences, bridging the gap between policy design and technological innovation.
Path to Politics
In January 2025, Gisele Kapterian won Liberal preselection for the long-held blue-ribbon seat of Bradfield in Sydney’s north, previously considered one of the safest Liberal electorates in the country. Her endorsement was backed by key figures in the NSW Liberal Party, including former premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Kapterian’s campaign focused on practical issues: cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, small-business support, and infrastructure improvement. She positioned herself as a modern Liberal, pro-business, pro-innovation, and grounded in community values. Her background in technology and public policy helped her appeal to both traditional voters and new demographics in an electorate that had been trending towards independents.
The Bradfield Election Battle
The 2025 federal election turned Bradfield into one of the nation’s closest contests. Initial counts saw Kapterian leading the independent Nicolette Boele by fewer than ten votes. The margin triggered an automatic recount by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
Over several weeks, disputed ballots were reviewed, and legal teams from both sides examined over 700 ballot papers. After the recount, the AEC declared Boele the winner by just 26 votes, one of the narrowest results in Australian electoral history.
The Liberal Party initially considered legal action, and Kapterian filed a petition to the High Court’s Court of Disputed Returns, arguing that a small number of ballots had been incorrectly counted. In September 2025, after reviewing the evidence, she withdrew the case, conceding defeat and stating that “the correct outcome has been declared.”
Aftermath and Public Response
Kapterian’s concession was marked by grace and professionalism. She thanked the people of Bradfield for their support and acknowledged the importance of electoral integrity. Political commentators noted her maturity and credibility, suggesting that her performance positioned her as a future leader within the Liberal Party.
Her campaign also reignited discussion about how small margins and ballot interpretation can influence democratic outcomes, sparking opinion pieces on whether artificial intelligence should play a role in verifying voter intent during close counts.
Career Philosophy and Focus
Throughout her professional and political life, Gisele Kapterian has championed evidence-based policy and innovation. She believes in modernising government services, improving data transparency, and empowering citizens through digital infrastructure.
Her speeches and articles often explore how technology can improve trust and accessibility in government, a message that resonates as public institutions face increasing pressure to deliver faster and more personalized services.
Significance in Australian Politics
Kapterian’s narrow defeat in a once-safe Liberal seat underscores the broader shift in Australia’s political landscape, where educated urban electorates are becoming more contested between major parties and independents.
Her candidacy also highlighted a new generation of Liberal figures with professional backgrounds in global business and technology, rather than traditional party pathways. Analysts believe she represents the kind of forward-looking leadership the Liberal Party may need to rebuild its urban base.
What Lies Ahead
As of late 2025, Gisele Kapterian remains active in public policy and community engagement. Whether she returns to a corporate strategy role or re-enters politics, her blend of legal expertise, global perspective, and digital insight ensures she will continue to influence Australia’s policy conversation.
Conclusion
Gisele Kapterian’s story is one of determination, intellect, and public service. From her beginnings in Sydney’s north to the international law circles of Geneva and the political spotlight of Canberra, she has forged a career that reflects modern Australia, diverse, educated, and globally connected.
Her near-win in Bradfield was not a defeat in reputation, but a reminder that political renewal often starts with those who dare to bring fresh ideas to old institutions.
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