Frontrunners for crucial Mundingburra seat after MP Coralee O’Rourke’s shock departure

A councillor and a registered nurse are tipped to throw their hats in the ring for Labor preselection in the must-win seat of Mundingburra after the two-term sitting MP announced she was bowing out of politics.

A councillor and a registered nurse are tipped to throw their hats in the ring for Labor preselection in the must-win seat of Mundingburra as two-term MP Coralee O’Rourke announced she was bowing out of politics.

A new Labor candidate is set to be preselected within weeks, with current Townsville councillor and former deputy mayor Les Walker – understood to be from the Right – expected to make a run.

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Registered nurse Simon Mitchell, understood to be from the party’s Left faction, could also nominate for preselection to fly the flag for Labor, with fewer than 60 days until voters return to the ballot box.

Cr Walker, whose division 10 falls within the electorate, has spent the past 17 years in council and reclaimed his ward at the 2020 local government poll with more than 60 per cent of the primary vote.

The party is preparing for a tough fight to defend its thin margin in the North Queensland electorate, as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday issued a statement wishing Ms O’Rourke the best for the future.

Minister for Communities Coralee O'Rourke turns the first sod to mark commencement of the early works on site of The Oasis Townsville. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“Coralee O’Rourke has been a valued minister in my government and a dedicated Member for Mundingburra,” she said.

“I am sad that she will not recontest her seat but family and health come first.”

The Courier-Mail revealed last month that Ms O’Rourke was reconsidering whether to run again at the October election, at which time the Premier suggested questions over her future were “speculation”.

Ms O’Rourke, who is currently the Minister for Communities and Disability Services, said she had to focus on her health – pointing to her battle with breast cancer.

“Following additional surgery in recent weeks, I have come to the realisation that I need to focus all my attention on my health – for my wellbeing, for my family, and for our community – and that is why I’ve had to make this difficult decision,” she said.

Cr Ann-Maree Greeney, Jam Corner chef and owner Matt Merrin and Cr Les Walker in Palmer Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ms O’Rourke said she was proud to have secured the delivery of the new Townsville Women’s Centre and described her service as seniors, disability services and communities minister as the biggest honour of her life.

“It has been my greatest privilege to serve the community of Mundingburra for the past five years as their elected member,” she said.

She reclaimed the Mundingburra electorate at the 2017 election with a slim margin of about 1.1 per cent, after she initially unseated the LNP’s David Crisafulli at the 2015 poll.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones yesterday said they had always known that Townsville would be a “tough contest”.

Simon Mitchell

“But we will be in there, fighting for the people of Townsville,” she said.

“I want to thank and acknowledge Coralee O’Rourke for her service. She is one of the bravest people I know.”

Originally published as Frontrunners for crucial Mundingburra seat after MP Coralee O’Rourke’s shock departure