A PRESLECTION clash is brewing over who will be named ALP candidate for Lalor, with Julia Gillard announcing support for grassroots campaigner and school principal Joanne Ryan.
In a letter to local ALP members, Ms Gillard asked for “the most serious consideration” to be given to Ms Ryan, a Werribee resident.
She said Ms Ryan, 51, had played a lead role in the successful 1998 campaign against a planned toxic dump in Werribee and had a strong commitment to education reform.
“Joanne will be well-placed to continue my passion for better education for Australia’s children,” Ms Gillard said.
“Joanne has both my respect and my support.”
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Ms Gillard’s pick puts her at odds with Maribyrnong MP Bill Shorten’s supported candidate, Kimberley Kitching, who Labor sources say is also expected to nominate.
Ms Kitching is manager of the Health Services Union’s state branch and a former Melbourne City councillor.
Ms Ryan, who is not aligned to any Labor faction, told the Weekly she would nominate for Lalor, and said receiving Ms Gillard’s support was “incredibly humbling”.
“I’ve decided to nominate because Julia has done such a superb job as our local member and we need an excellent local member to continue in that sense,” Ms Ryan said.
“That person needs to be someone who understands the grassroots level of the community and who is committed to that part of the work, and that’s me.”
The Moonee Ponds Primary School principal has held senior roles at Laverton Secondary and Galvin Park Secondary (now Wyndham Central). Like Ms Gillard, Ms Ryan said improving education outcomes was the most pressing issue in Lalor.
“Julia and I bonded over a passion for education and the difference it makes for people’s lives,” she said.
Public relations executive and former ALP campaign manager Melissa Horne has also been tipped as a nominee. She declined to comment.
An ALP spokesman said no nominations for Lalor preselection had been received.
Nominations close on Friday.
