Coralee O’Rourke’s departure leaves Labor ‘vulnerable’
Minister Coralee O’Rourke’s late departure from politics has left Labor “vulnerable” to other candidates contesting the marginal seat of Mundingburra and could spell the end of a Townsville alliance.
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Minister Coralee O’Rourke’s late departure from politics has left Labor “vulnerable” to other candidates contesting the marginal seat of Mundingburra and could spell the end of a Townsville alliance.
Political researcher Dr Maxine Newlands said things had “heated up” for the upcoming state election following Ms O’Rourke’s announcement she wouldn’t be contesting the seat due to ongoing health issues after her battle with breast cancer.
She said Labor would be scrambling to find a suitable replacement this close to the election, and that made for “interesting” politics.
“It is quite late in the day so the other candidate will have to be known and people will recognise the name when it comes to the ballot,” Dr Newlands said.
“It will be interesting to watch what happens next.”
Frontrunners for the pick include former Townsville deputy mayor Cr Les Walker and nurse Simon Mitchell.
Former staffer to Herbert MP Cathy O’Toole, Stephanie Naunton, was thought to be in the race but has since been ruled out by Labor insiders.
Mr Mitchell is from the party’s Left, the same faction as the outgoing member, while Cr Walker is from the Right.
Cr Walker would have to secure more than 65 per cent of the vote in a local plebiscite to secure the position, which may be difficult if he doesn’t get enough votes from the Left.
Dr Newlands said both candidates had their pros and cons and selection would indicate to voters what direction the party was moving in.
She said Cr Walker was well-known and popular.
“It’s never been said before that Les Walker wanted to run so it might look like he might just be jumping on the opportunity,” she said.
Dr Newlands said even if Labor were to form government state relations would be fractured if they didn’t overcome the 1.8 per cent margin to reclaim the seat.
She said losing North Queensland’s only minister with a portfolio was a blow.
“With Coralee out of the picture I imagine there’ll be a strong narrative from minor parties that they’re now the face or the voice of Townsville in Brisbane,” she said.
“Whichever party gets in, I think they will really need to give them a portfolio to maintain confidence.
“The outcome could change the state relations and cause a bit of fracturing within the parliament, which may not be a bad thing because it could put more pressure on Scott (Stewart) and Aaron (Harper).”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has already conceded holding on to Mundingburra is going to be tough after Ms O’Rourke’s departure.
“We know that this election is going to be tough and I expect that we’ll have a strong candidate in the field shortly but can I pay tribute to Coralee O’Rourke as well,” Ms Palaszczuk said yesterday. “She has done an outstanding job.”
Ms O’Rourke officially announced she wasn’t recontesting the seat at the weekend, saying she needed to focus on her health.
Originally published as Coralee O’Rourke’s departure leaves Labor ‘vulnerable’