Independent MP Frances Bedford to keep Labor guessing about contesting Florey seat at election
KEY independent MP Frances Bedford will keep the Labor party guessing about whether she will contest the next election when she appears at Modbury Hospital today with the Premier and Health Minister.
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KEY independent MP Frances Bedford will keep the Labor party guessing about whether she will contest the next election.
An announcement on her position is now likely weeks away as she negotiates with Labor power brokers.
Ms Bedford is deciding whether to run again in her northern suburbs seat of Florey, after quitting Labor in the wake of a bitter preselection stoush.
Ms Bedford told The Advertiser on Friday morning that negotiations were “still ongoing” and she could not make a decision until she knew what policies Labor might offer.
Premier Jay Weatherill has been in negotiations with Ms Bedford this week but both have remained tight-lipped about any agreement.
Ms Bedford said she had not been promised anything specific yet.
She is keen to boost services at Modbury Hospital and see reform of Labor Party processes.
Speculation about the seat of Florey intensified this week when former Health Minister Jack Snelling announced his resignation and revealed he would drop out of the race for Florey at the March poll.
It has left Labor scrambling for a new candidate six months from voting day.
Ms Bedford confirmed on Thursday afternoon that she will hold a press conference at Modbury Hospital on Friday, with Mr Weatherill and new Health Minister Peter Malinauskas.
Ms Bedford has long spoken against downgrading of services at Modbury Hospital, which were part of Labor’s Transforming Health reforms.
In a statement released on Thursday, Ms Bedford said health services “remain a top priority for people and re-evaluation of the role of Modbury Hospital is vital for residents of the north east”.
“There are several areas of concern I want to draw to the attention of Government and I am glad for this early opportunity,” she said.
The Liberal Opposition declared on Wednesday that it would restore services if elected in March.
Mr Weatherill has left open the possibility of further changes at the hospital but it is not known if he has made specific promises to Ms Bedford.
Ms Bedford has so far said that if she does contest Florey, it will be as an independent candidate.