Three potential Labor candidates have now come forward to contest the party’s preselection in Wollongong after MP Noreen Hay’s resignation last week.
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Wollongong lawyer Deb Langton announced she would run late last week. The former UOW academic and Carter Ferguson Solicitors director said she had last considered running in 2003, but dropped out when Ms Hay was given head office support.
“This is not something that’s new to me, it’s been an interest for some time,” she said. “So when Noreen unexpectedly resigned, I feel like it’s the right time for me to move forward.”
Ms Hay said last week she would like to see a woman replace her in the seat, however Ms Langton did not say if she had the veteran candidate’s support.
“I haven’t had time to talk to a lot of people, and the first project will be to talk to head office and who they see as the right candidate.”
UOW manager and ex-ministerial staffer Paul Scully – who would not comment when asked last week – also announced on Monday that he would run for preselection. He joins John Rumble, who declared on the day of Ms Hay’s announcement.
Mr Scully said he had received “support and encouragement” and had been an active party member for more than 20 years as well as experience holding executive and campaign management roles.
“At this preselection Labor needs to provide the people of Wollongong with a dynamic candidate who is ready to be part of the next NSW Labor government. I believe that I am that person,” he said.
Mr Scully ran for preselection against Ms Hay in December 2014.
Meantime, Labor’s Illawarra spokesman Ryan Park has called on Premier Mike Baird to show his hand on whether the Liberal Party will run a candidate.
“The Labor Party has committed to running and will soon commence the formal process to select a candidate for the seat of Wollongong,” he said.
“What the community has a right to know is will Mike Baird and the Liberal Party do the same?”
He said Labor had committed to run a candidate in the Orange by-election and said “I would expect the Premier to show the same respect and commitment to the people of Wollongong”.
“I know Mr Baird is not a frequent visitor to the area but I believe he should put up a candidate and engage in this process that will give him and the Liberal Party just as it will the Labor Party and others who decide to run an opportunity to outline their plans for the seat of Wollongong going forward,” he said.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
