Annastacia Palaszczuk’s attempt to endorse Margaret Strelow for the seat of Rockhampton backfires

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk’s attempt to back Mayor Margaret Strelow for the seat of Rockhampton has been rebuffed by Labor’s Old Guard faction that is defiantly championing an alternative candidate,

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s (left) decision to endorse Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow for the seat of Rockhampton has backfired. Picture: AAP

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk’s attempted “captain’s call” in the bitter Rockhampton preselection battle has backfired with Labor’s Old Guard faction defiantly championing an alternative candidate.

Despite the Queensland Premier anointing Mayor Margaret Strelow to replace former minister Bill Byrne, a local public servant has nominated for the seat and has the backing of heavyweights within the Old Guard faction.

Department of Housing regional director Barry O’Rourke and Cr Strelow will be vetted by Labor’s candidate suitability panel on Thursday with a date for any potential preselection showdown yet to be named.

Mr O’Rourke has the backing of former Rockhampton MP and Labor elder Robert Schwarten while Cr Strelow has the support of Ms Palaszczuk as well as outgoing MP Bill Byrne, who was photographed signing Cr Strelow’s preselection nomination form on Saturday, a day after the Premier said she had her blessing to run.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s (left) decision to endorse Rockhampton Mayor Margaret Strelow for the seat of Rockhampton has backfired. Picture: AAP

“I think that Margaret Strelow would make an outstanding candidate to run in the seat of Rockhampton,” she said on Friday.

Fears about the potential for One Nation to poll well in the seat have helped fuel the push for Cr Strelow to run.

The resurgent far-right party is yet to name a candidate for the Rockhampton seat.

The Old Guard is fighting to retain its grip on the seat, however.

It had initially put forward candidate Dan Coxen, a Queensland Teachers’ Union organiser, but he withdrew from the race over eligibility issues.

Mr O’Rourke nominated in his place. He yesterday urged the party to allow branch members a vote.

“When Dan Coxen announced he had nominated, I was happy to support him, but given the factional squabbling that meant Dan is ruled out on a technicality, with my strong natural justice principles, I decided to give branch members an alternative,” he said.

Just when Ms Palaszczuk will replace Mr Byrne in Cabinet is also yet to be announced. She has appointed Mines Minister Anthony Lynham to act as Agriculture Minister until at least Saturday.

Old Guard MP Di Farmer is next in line to take up a Cabinet spot for the faction.