Kristina Keneally puts name forward for Sam Dastyari’s seat in the Senate
KRISTINA Keneally has confirmed she has put her name forward for resigning senator Sam Dastyari’s seat in the Senate.
National
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KRISTINA Keneally has confirmed she has put her name forward for resigning senator Sam Dastyari’s seat in the Senate.
Annoucing her bid for the vacant NSW seat, The former NSW premier paid tribute to Mr Dastyari in a statement posted on Twitter.
Earlier, The Australian reported that the two leading potential candidates, unions bosses Tony Sheldon and Tara Moriarty, have pulled out of the race and will not be standing for the position,
That leaves Ms Keneally contesting the post against two former state MPs, Virginia Judge and Barry Collier.
NSW Labor secretary Kaila Murnain saidnominations would formally open next week and close on February 1, and the party’s administrative committee would confirm who fills the vacancy the next day.
Statement Regarding the NSW Senate Vacancy pic.twitter.com/O8ETVke3os
— Kristina Keneally (@KKeneally) January 17, 2018
Mr Dastyari sensationally announced he was quitting politics late last year amid controversy about his dealings with a Chinese businessman and political donor.
Transport Workers Union national secretary Tony Sheldon had been mentioned as a possible candidate. however Mr Sheldon told reporters today: “I have not put my name forward at this point to make a formal nomination,” he said.
“My concern ... is to make sure our roads are safer and fairness is delivered in workplaces.”
Tara Moriarty, secretary of hospitality union United Voice and the fifth-placed candidate on Labor’s NSW ticket in 2016, was not available for comment.
Ms Keneally failed in her bid to take the seat of Bennelong in a December by-election, which was backed by Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.