Labor staffer Alison Byrnes nominates for pre-selection after Cunningham MP Sharon Bird announces retirement

Adviser and executive assistant Alison Byrnes has confirmed with the Mercury she will nominate for pre-selection in the federal seat.

Branch members will vote on who they want to represent Labor in Cunningham at the next election.

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Senior Labor sources told the Mercury Ms Byrnes, who is married to state Wollongong MP Paul Scully, was the front runner on Friday following Ms Bird's retirement announcement.

Ms Byrnes has worked in the Labor party for 30 years, and with Ms Bird since 2005. She is known for assisting Ms Bird to help constituents navigate the NDIS system and recently helped residents return home during the pandemic.

As previously reported, Ms Byrnes is seen as the ideal candidate, with insiders 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."

Other potential candidates mentioned include Senator Kristina Keneally, who has been touted as a favourite if the party wants to parachute in an outsider.

Meanwhile, Labor Councillor for Ward 2 on Wollongong City Council, Tania Brown was also raised as a potential runner for the Cunningham seat despite her nominating for mayor.

Misha Zelinsky, who ran for pre-selection against Bird in the last federal election, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate.

They are all yet to confirm whether they will nominate for pre-selection.

On Thursday, the 18-year member for Cunningham, Ms Bird announced she would be retiring from politics at the next election to focus spending more time with her family.

She said she would miss the real people in the community.

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