Senior Labor insiders have said possible successors to replace outgoing Cunningham MP Sharon Bird could be announced in the next two days.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The front runner for the plum position is Alison Byrnes Scully, Ms Bird's long-time adviser and executive assistant, who is married to state Wollongong MP, Paul Scully.
Many see her as the ideal candidate, with sources saying she has "overwhelming" support among Labor ranks.
"She's provided enormous assistance to rank-and-file members and the community at large," one long-standing ALP member said.
"She's a very genuine person who goes beyond the call of duty all the time. She'd be a fantastic member - there's no airs and graces about her, she's gracious and will move the world to help people."
Another high-ranking Labor official said naming Ms Byrnes as the candidate would be a smart move for the party.
"The smartest move would be to put Alison in," they said.
"She is capable, knows how things work on the ground and she works the political room."
Other potential candidates mentioned include Senator Kristina Keneally, who has been touted as a favourite if the party wants to parachute in an outsider.
However, both sources have cast doubt on such a move, with one believing it was highly unlikely such a move would occur.
They also pointed to Ms Keneally's confirmation in September that she would throw her hat into the ring for the federal lower house seat of Fowler in Sydney's south west.
A spokesperson at her office said they were surprised to see her name put forward and added that she is committed to the seat of Fowler.
Meanwhile, Labor Councillor for Ward 2 on Wollongong City Council, Tania Brown was also raised as a potential runner for the Cunningham seat.
Cr Brown is Labor's candidate in Wollongong's mayoral election. An insider said she would be a good choice but it seems unlikely that the party would remove her from the local government elections at this stage.
Misha Zelinsky, who ran for pre-selection against Bird in the last federal election, has also been mentioned as a potential.
Mr Zelinsky, who is currently the assistant national secretary of the Australian Workers' Union and is secretary of the Australian Labor Party's national policy forum, has responsibility for coordinating Labor's national policy platform.
The source said: "He challenged Sharon for the pre selection last time. He could be a contender, but I doubt he has the numbers."
The Mercury has contacted Ms Byrnes Scully for comment.
The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here.
