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Kevin Rudd casts doubt on diplomat's bid for Gillard seat Kevin Rudd casts doubt on diplomat's bid for Gillard seat
(2 months later)
Kevin Rudd appears to have cast doubt on the pre-selection candidacy of a Labor member looking to take ex-prime minister Julia Gillard’s seat of Lalor in Melbourne, who admitted she has never lived, studied or worked in the area.Kevin Rudd appears to have cast doubt on the pre-selection candidacy of a Labor member looking to take ex-prime minister Julia Gillard’s seat of Lalor in Melbourne, who admitted she has never lived, studied or worked in the area.
Lisa Clutterham a 29-year-old diplomat to Papua New Guinea, told ABC local radio she planned to stand for pre-selection in the western Melbourne seat, but conceded she had no connection with Melbourne.Lisa Clutterham a 29-year-old diplomat to Papua New Guinea, told ABC local radio she planned to stand for pre-selection in the western Melbourne seat, but conceded she had no connection with Melbourne.
“I don't have a connection with Melbourne and that's not something I'm shying away from ... But I've been presented with an incredible opportunity to nominate for the seat of Lalor for pre-selection, she said.“I don't have a connection with Melbourne and that's not something I'm shying away from ... But I've been presented with an incredible opportunity to nominate for the seat of Lalor for pre-selection, she said.
She said the trade minister, Richard Marles, a close ally of Rudd and the member for the Victorian seat of Corio, had given her his backing.She said the trade minister, Richard Marles, a close ally of Rudd and the member for the Victorian seat of Corio, had given her his backing.
Speaking to journalists at his first National Press Club speech since assuming office, the prime minister said he thought the interview was “pretty curious”, adding that he preferred pre-selection candidates to come from local ballots.Speaking to journalists at his first National Press Club speech since assuming office, the prime minister said he thought the interview was “pretty curious”, adding that he preferred pre-selection candidates to come from local ballots.
He said: “Some of the brightest and best don't necessarily have the hardened body armour to get through that in order to find themselves in the national parliament.”He said: “Some of the brightest and best don't necessarily have the hardened body armour to get through that in order to find themselves in the national parliament.”
But he added: “Let's see how this lot turns out. My overwhelming preference remains for local ballots.”But he added: “Let's see how this lot turns out. My overwhelming preference remains for local ballots.”
Clutterham maintained on Thursday morning that she had the right skills for the job, despite her lack of local knowledge.Clutterham maintained on Thursday morning that she had the right skills for the job, despite her lack of local knowledge.
“As someone who has over the past few years had a growing resolve to pursue a career in politics, a career which I think is the highest form of public service, it's an opportunity that I haven't been able to say no to and that I'm extremely excited about," she said.“As someone who has over the past few years had a growing resolve to pursue a career in politics, a career which I think is the highest form of public service, it's an opportunity that I haven't been able to say no to and that I'm extremely excited about," she said.
The Labor party faces the prospect of fielding a large number of new candidates at this year’s federal election, following the resignation of a number of senior MPs after Julia Gillard’s ousting as prime minister last month.The Labor party faces the prospect of fielding a large number of new candidates at this year’s federal election, following the resignation of a number of senior MPs after Julia Gillard’s ousting as prime minister last month.
The party has announced its approval of a local ballot to find a candidate in the Brisbane seat of Rankin, where Labor veteran Craig Emerson is retiring, but may well have to make executive decisions in other newly vacant seats.The party has announced its approval of a local ballot to find a candidate in the Brisbane seat of Rankin, where Labor veteran Craig Emerson is retiring, but may well have to make executive decisions in other newly vacant seats.
Nominations for Lalor will close on Friday, but the process for selection has not yet been agreed.Nominations for Lalor will close on Friday, but the process for selection has not yet been agreed.
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