Kristina Keneally confirms plan to run for safe Labor seat in Western Sydney

A backroom deal allowing Senator Kristina Keneally a shot at the safe Western Sydney Labor seat of Fowler is set to cost support of one of its biggest union backers.

A backroom deal allowing Senator Kristina Keneally a shot at the safe Western Sydney Labor seat of Fowler at the expense of a local Vietnamese-Australian candidate is set to cost the powerful Right faction the support of one of its biggest union backers.

The Health Services Union (HSU) leadership will no longer caucus with the Right in protest at what it has described as a “lazy” backroom deal, costing the Right crucial conference votes.

Orchestrated by the ALP head office, the move to allow Ms Keneally to contest Fowler was designed to save not only her political career but that of her factional colleague, Senator Deborah O’Neill.

The pair had been locked in a bitter dispute over who should be given the one guaranteed winnable right-wing Senate spot at the next election.

While the retirement of Fowler MP Chris Hayes offered up an opportunity, he and others had been publicly pushing for Tu Le, a local lawyer with Vietnamese heritage, to replace him.

Former NSW premier and now Senator Kristina Keneally. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

With its 46,000 members, the HSU, which only recently re-affiliated with Labor after withdrawing its support over the leadership of former NSW leader Jodi McKay, is the second largest Labor union after the SDA, also known as the “shoppies”.

The withdrawal of support by the HSU from the Right is significant as it dramatically reduces the faction’s dominance at party conference, impacting its ability to push its agenda, funding support and access to volunteers during campaigns.

HSU Secretary Gerard Hayes, brother to Chris, said experienced MPs such as Ms Keneally — a former premier of NSW — should be contesting marginal seats “in which they live”.

He described the deal to slot Ms Keneally, from the Northern Beaches into Fowler as a “lazy” and “simplistic” solution to the problem.

While both Ms Keneally and Ms O’Neill were “fine politicians”, the move suggested party officials were not confident in winning a third Senate spot or a marginal seat such as Robertson or Bennelong.

“Imposing an outsider on this community is lazy, simplistic politics to solve a short term factional headache,” Mr Hayes said.

“This decision also shows a defeatist attitude from Labor.

“Experienced, high profile MPs should be chasing marginal seats in the communities in which they live. These are the seats Labor needs to win to form government. Retreating into the safest seat in the country makes little sense.”

Ms Keneally, who formally nominated as the ALP candidate for Fowler on Friday, said her decision followed approaches by branch members to run.

“The families in Fowler have been well-served and represented by Chris, and if preselected and elected, I pledge to do the same,” she said.

“If endorsed and preselected, I will fight alongside the rank-and-file Labor members in Fowler to elect an Albanese Labor Government — because families in Fowler deserve a government that is on their side.”

On Friday night, Ms Keneally moved a step closer towards her bid to contest the seat of Fowler with the NSW Right formally endorsing her candidacy at a tense Zoom meeting.

A Labor source participating in the meeting said an angry “but still polite” Mr Hayes criticised NSW ALP general secretary Bob Nanva over the move while also questioning whether the Labor boss would be putting his hand up for the job again when nominations for the position re-opened.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese with Tu Le, who had been endorsed by outgoing Fowler MP Chris Hayes to run for his seat. Picture: Facebook

Labor has not won the third position since 2007.

Ms Keneally paid tribute to Chris Hayes in announcing her nomination.

“Chris is known for his integrity, compassion, and dedication to his constituents,” she said.

“The families in Fowler have been well-served and represented by Chris, and if preselected and elected, I pledge to do the same.”

Ms Le put out a statement in her own words on Friday explaining why she put herself up as a candidate and why her community needs someone “who truly understands” the struggles locals face.

“Fowler is my community. It is my home,” Ms Le said.

“For all its richness in diversity and culture that I love, I also know it is one of the most socially and economically disadvantaged communities in Australia.

“The people of Fowler deserve to be represented and heard. We deserve someone who truly understands the local area.”

She said while she does not know what is going to happen with the preselection for Fowler. she will “always put the community first”.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese has shrugged off suggestions Ms Keneally would pose a threat to his leadership if she moved to the House of Representatives, a sentiment echoed by the Senator.

“If elected by the people of Fowler I look forward to serving as their local member and as the Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship in a Labor Government led by Anthony Albanese as Prime Minister,” Ms Keneally said.

There is anger within the Labor Party’s rank and file membership over Ms Keneally’s nomination. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Christian Gilles

She said the communities of Fowler were “well-known to me” through the various state ministries she has held and ultimately as NSW premier.

“Families in Fowler face some significant challenges, including job insecurity and housing stress,” she said.

“Fowler is also dynamic. From the vibrancy of Cabramatta, the renewal of Bonnyrigg, the growth of Liverpool, and the strong family and faith communities in Bossley Park, Fairfield East, Mount Pritchard, and Prairiewood, I know and appreciate how important this part of Sydney is right now and into the future.”

Mr Albanese will face questions about Labor’s judgment in parachuting Ms ­Keneally from the northern beaches into a safe Labor Western Sydney seat at the expense of a highly regarded local candidate.

But on Thursday Mr Albanese dodged questions about the message the deal sent.

“My sole focus is in removing this government,” he said.

Mr Albanese also rejected suggestions Ms Keneally’s presence in the lower house could be a challenge to his ­future leadership.

“The fact is that Kristina is a friend of mine. She is a strong supporter,” he said.

“I think she makes an enormous contribution as both a Senator and as a frontbencher.”