The Prime Minister wanted a woman and had the backing of Queensland's powerful mining lobby group, but Toowoomba's LNP branch preselected a man to run in the Groom Federal by-election.
The successful candidate, Garth Hamilton, disputes that the party has a "women problem", but others within the LNP have raised concerns about what his selection signals for the future.
John McVeigh announced his retirement in September, triggering a by-election on November 28.
In the safe Liberal seat, the real fight was for LNP preselection.
Toowoomba councillor Rebecca Vonhoff and former Wellcamp Airport manager Sara Hales were both considered frontrunners among the seven candidates, but mining engineer Mr Hamilton was successful.
Mining industry backs women
Former Groom MP and resources minister Ian Macfarlane, who is now Queensland Resources Council chief executive, signed the ballot papers of both women.
Mr Macfarlane's wife handed out brochures for Cr Vonhoff at the party meeting.
Mr Hamilton is a mining engineer and contributor to right wing conservative publication Spectator.
He has spoken publicly about the importance of being a "family man" with a wife and three children.
However, when questioned about whether the LNP needed self-reflection after an ABC Four Corners investigation exposed inappropriate behaviour inside the "Canberra bubble", Mr Hamilton disagreed there was a problem with women.
"Absolutely not — not that I'm aware of," he said.
"I'm very grateful to many women within the party who have been mentors to me and have helped me grow and understand the needs of this local community.
"No, I don't think the LNP has a problem with women, no."
Women elected on 'merit'
The ABC has spoken with several LNP sources, on the condition of anonymity, who have raised concerns that a fundamental Christian right wing faction is growing within the Toowoomba branch.
They also raised concerns that Mr Hamilton's preselection had cast a shadow over its attitudes towards women.
But Mr Hamilton pointed to the election of acting state president of the LNP, Cynthia Hardy.
"She's been elected within the party," he said.
"[She's a] very strong advocate for the party [and] she's there on merit.
"I know we look across the party and [there are] a number of women who are there on merit doing a great job."
Minister backs grassroots process
The Government Services Minister and Member for Faddon, Stuart Robert, also defended the preselection.
"The great thing about the Liberal National Party is it's a grassroots party," he said.
"Grassroots members get to choose their candidate, as opposed to other political parties.
"It was great to see a whole raft of candidates coming through, including local businesswomen and local councillors.
"[But] the local branch members have chosen Garth and I think we should put our faith in the local rank and file."
Mr Robert stressed anyone could join the party and then vote on matters, including preselection.
"So the Liberal National Party doesn't have a problem with women, if I could push back gently," he said.
Cr Vonhoff and Ms Hales declined to comment, while the Prime Minister's office has not responded to questions by the ABC.
