Belinda Hassan, mum of four, to challenge Christensen

Australian Labor Party reveals Dawson candidate

Belinda Hassan has been chosen by the Labor party to compete against George Christensen in the next Federal election. Picture: Contributed

EXCLUSIVE: The Australian Labor Party will announce fifth-generation Mackay resident, Belinda Hassan, as its candidate for Dawson in the next federal election.

Ms Hassan is among the first Queensland candidates to join the ALP team, as it continues hosting town hall meetings throughout the region including one in Mackay on Tuesday night.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will be there with senator Anthony Chisholm.

Ms Hassan, a 46-old mother of four children, is manager at Mackay Funerals and Sarina Funerals and volunteers after hours at a local domestic violence shelter.

"Mackay's last bulk-billing private practice GP (has started) charging patients because of the Turnbull Government's Medicare rebate freeze. Having to pay at every GP practice in town is simply unaffordable for some residents, and puts increased pressure on the already stressed public hospital," she said.

"Fighting for our fair share of Federal funding is my number one priority."

Mackay Labor heavyweight Frank Gilbert said Ms Hassan was the right person to take the seat over long-standing Dawson MP Mr Christensen.

Mr Gilbert, who is the husband of State Labor member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, slashed Mr Christensen's margin in half despite losing to him by 6000 votes in 2016.

He didn't nominate this time around.

"Belinda spoke to me and I was pleased to support her in her quest... she has a lot of support across the party," he said.

"She has a very strong record of community activism and involvement right across the Mackay region and I believe she is the right candidate to take the seat."

Mr Gilbert said he would help Ms Hassan throughout her election campaign.

Originally published as Belinda Hassan, mum of four, to challenge Christensen