Labor MP Graham Perrett, who holds the Queensland seat of Moreton, is stepping down at the next election following what sources said was a “gentle nudge” from his union, which felt it was time to make way for a female candidate.

Labor, which holds just five of the 30 federal seats in Queensland, is set to preselect former party secretary Julie-Ann Campbell to replace Mr Perrett, who has held the seat since 2007.