Heathcote MP Paul McLeay has angrily denied reports he lobbied ALP head office to replace embattled colleague David Campbell in the safe seat of Keira.A Sydney media report yesterday claimed Mr McLeay contacted Labor's general secretary Sam Dastyari on Thursday night, hours after Mr Campbell was outed on national television, to lodge his interest in switching to the northern suburbs-based seat.
Colleagues backing Campbell comeback Keira voters support CampbellMr Campbell was returned with a healthy 22 per cent buffer in 2007, while Mr McLeay holds his seat with a slimmer 8.8 per cent margin.But Mr McLeay rubbished reports he was looking to swap electorates."It's quite ridiculous," he said."It's just a pathetic, juvenile attempt to regurgitate the 'Kick Campbell' story."Mr Dastyari said he had not spoken to Mr McLeay for a week."I do not understand how that story got into print - it's completely untrue," he said."I have been given every indication David Campbell will contest the seat of Keira and Paul McLeay will contest the seat of Heathcote."A spokesman for Mr Campbell declined to comment on the controversy, but confirmed the MP's career would continue, despite his resignation as a minister.He has not been seen in public since last Friday, the day after the Seven Network aired footage of him leaving a gay sex club."David will continue to advocate strongly for the local community and will be at Parliament when it returns," the spokesman said."David said his family has been very grateful for the support they've received, especially from the Illawarra community."The cyber community has also got behind the embattled MP; a Facebook group called We support David Campbell has attracted more than 900 members in less than a week.Meantime, speaking on Sydney radio station 2UE yesterday, Premier Kristina Keneally said she was not surprised at the negative reaction to Mr Campbell's outing."I do think in Australia we have traditionally had a very strong distinction between what is relevant about a politician's private life ... and what isn't," she said.
