NSW Labor candidate for Bega by-election upsets party faithful who claim rules bent

Chris Minns has been accused of bending Labor’s rules by sidelining a party faithful in favour of a newcomer for the Bega by-election.

NSW Labor is facing internal ructions after leader Chris Minns signalled a “captain’s pick” for the crucial seat of Bega that could require party rules to be bent.

Mr Minns, on Friday, announced Eurobodalla doctor Michael Holland put his hand up as a candidate with the party.

Dr Holland, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, has been a vocal campaigner for his local hospital but only signed up to the Labor Party in November.

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has been forced to defend his selection for the Bega by-election. Picture: Damian Shaw

Dr Holland told The Telegraph he joined Labor last month “obviously as a prerequisite” for running for the party, adding he had not been a member of any other political party previously.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of members in the community and they’re all very supportive of my candidacy,” he said.

NSW Labor requires that candidates have been paid members of the party for at least one year, among other criteria.

But the party’s admin committee can waive that requirement if it considers that allowing the person to contest the selection ballot would be a significant benefit for the party.

Dr Holland’s selection has angered some long-time Labor branch members in Bega because it effectively rules out Tathra’s Leanne Atkinson, a 20-year party member who has run for Labor in the previous three state elections.

Moruya gynaecologist and obstetrician Dr Michael Holland has put his hand up to represent Labor in Bega. Picture: Facebook

Leanne Atkinson’s hopes of running again for the Bega seat have been dashed. Picture: Facebook

They say Dr Holland will not have time to build his profile enough to win Bega before the by-election in February.

They also claim Labor leadership had led them to believe there would be a rank and file vote and decried the doctor’s candidacy as a “captain’s pick”.

In response, Dr Holland said: “That’s not been my feedback”.

“I’ve been in the region for 19 years so I have a very high profile across the south coast. We can’t live in both Bega and Eurobodalla at one time but my professional practice has covered from Milton-Ulladulla all the way down to Eden,” he said.

“If they’re concerned someone is new to the NSW Labor Party, doesn’t mean you haven’t had a lifelong commitment to the labor principals.”

“I haven’t been parachuted into the area, I’ve been a local resident for nearly 20 years.”

Ms Atkinson confirmed she withdrew from contesting this month’s local government elections, where she had planned to run for Bega Valley Shire Council, when Andrew Constance’s resignation triggered the by-election.

“I was hoping to nominate for preselection. I didn’t necessarily have an expectation I’d be preselected because that’s up to the membership and I respect the process in place,” she said.

Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader, said: “Dr Michael Holland is an expert in his field and an unyielding voice for his community”.

“I have witnessed first-hand his strong and longstanding connection to local families, and the affection and respect of his colleagues and local health workers,” he said.