Wollongong MP Noreen Hay has shot down suggestion it's time for change, saying she survived a "tsunami of anti-Labor" votes in the last state election and is prepared to do it again next year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Labor Party preselection nominations for the seat of Wollongong closed on Friday afternoon, with confirmation Ms Hay and academic Paul Scully had thrown their hat in the ring.
It is understood Wollongong City Councillor Ann Martin has also nominated, but she couldn't be contacted by the Mercury on Friday.
The announcement ended months of speculation whether Ms Hay would recontest, but some party members have said a fresh face is needed.
According to Mount Kembla-Unanderra ALP branch president Neil Barnett, it is "the right time" for change.
"I look forward to seeing some alternative choices, so we can pick someone who is going to drive that renewal process within the party at a local level," Mr Barnett said.
"I think it's time in the party to put forward candidates with fresh ideas, you know, people with an enthusiasm to run for many years down the track [and] to carry us through to a position where we're going to win through to government in NSW.
"To do that, we need people who are bright, young and articulate to carry that through."
Ms Hay said she was the "beneficiary of very strong support" from branch members, who recognised her as a "voice of experience and knowledge".
She said the battle would be one of experience versus no experience, because Mr Scully "doesn't have something else to sell" against her.
"The old idea that people over 55 are of no contribution to society and unable to meet the energy required has just been proven wrong time and time again," Ms Hay said.
"I intend to work as vigorously as I have done in the past and also, I believe with relatively new people coming into Parliament, we need a mix [of experience].
Ms Hay said it wasn't the first time people had suggested it was time for change.
"The last time around ... there was a tsunami of anti-Labor vote across the state, safer seats than mine were lost and quite frankly people were expecting my seat to be lost," she said.
"But, because I have built the trust and faith with the community through hard and dedicated work I was able to retain the seat."
Mount Keira sub-branch secretary Lindsay Stoddart said Ms Hay "has the numbers" and people were simply "spreading malicious gossip".
The sentiment was echoed by Wollongong branch president and State Electoral Council secretary, Reg Jago.
"Noreen's got more energy than anyone I know," Mr Jago said.
"The branches are all behind her."
Scully endorsed by son of Whitlam
The man mounting a preselection challenge against Wollongong MP Noreen Hay for next year’s state election has received backing from the son of former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
Paul Scully’s ALP preselection nomination includes two character references, including one from Nicholas Whitlam.
Mr Scully confirmed on Friday he had lodged his nomination, but wouldn’t comment further.
‘‘I’ll be talking to branch members over the coming weeks and the rank and file will make their decision in due course,’’ Mr Scully said.
A copy of Mr Scully’s nomination said he had sought endorsement ‘‘to deliver generational change and the fresh approach expected by our community to dealing with issues, while holding the NSW Liberals to account’’.
Mr Whitlam wrote Mr Scully was ‘‘an admirable prospective candidate for the party’’.
‘‘If he were to be selected as the party’s candidate, it would represent a clear break from the past, which I believe to be desirable,’’ Mr Whitlam wrote.
‘‘He would work well with, and be accepted by, the Illawarra business community and would present a new face for Wollongong.’’
Another character reference was penned by former member for Keira and Wollongong Colin Markham.
‘‘I endorse what John Robertson, Leader of the Opposition, has said about renewal and revitalisation of the party and I have no hesitation in endorsing Paul,’’ Mr Markham wrote.
Noreen Hay holds the seat of Wollongong by the slim margin of 682 votes after popular independent, and now Wollongong Lord Mayor, Gordon Bradbery captured 49per cent of the two-candidate preferred vote at the 2011 election.
Cr Bradbery said he was still considering his options.