Labor candidate for Flinders accidentally leaked

A Mornington Peninsula councillor with a history of backing Teals and the CFMEU has been accidentally revealed as a Labor candidate for the next federal election.

An “independent” Mornington Peninsula councillor with a history of supporting both Teals and the CFMEU has been accidentally leaked as the next Labor candidate for the federal seat of Flinders.

Sarah Race, who represents the Nepean ward in Mornington Shire but did not stand in this month’s election, was revealed as the candidate when a password-protected area of a Labor members website was left open.

“The … Flinders Campaign Team is getting some really good action underway, with the incredible Sarah Race as our aspiring Flinders Labor candidate,” the website read.

Sarah Race (R) will be the Labor candidate for the seat of Flinders at the next federal election. Picture: Facebook

As councillor, Ms Race voted in support of a motion to place a 3.3% levy on new developments in the area and was also in favour of lowering the Aboriginal flag to half mast on Australia Day.

Ms Race was officially elected to council as an independent but has a history of affiliation to a variety of political causes and is understood to have officially joined the Labor Party within the last twelve months.

She campaigned for Teal candidate Kate Lardner at the 2022 state election, describing Dr Lardner as “intelligent and empathetic” and saying she would make an amazing MP.

Ms Race supporting Teal candidate Dr Kate Lardner in the 2022 state election. Picture: Supplied

Ms Race at a party for the Labor candidate Jodie Belyea following the 2024 Dunkley by-election. Picture: Mark Stewart

Ms Race had flipped allegiance by this year, appearing decked out in red in support of Labor’s Jodie Belyea when Ms Belyea won the federal seat of Dunkley in a by-election triggered by the death of beloved former MP Peta Murphy.

Ms Race has also been pictured raising a fist with CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith.

It is unclear whether the photo of the pair was taken before or after the union’s war with the Albanese government over the construction arm of the organisation being placed into administration following a series of scandals.

Ms Race pictured with CFEMU boss Zach Smith. Picture: Supplied

The seat of Flinders encompasses the bottom portion of the Mornington Peninsula including the towns of Sorrento and Rye

Zoe McKenzie held the seat for Liberals with a 6.7 per cent margin at the 2022 election following the retirement of longtime party heavyweight Greg Hunt after over 20 years as MP.

Labor last won Flinders in 1983 and it is considered the last safe federal Liberal seat in Melbourne.

Ms Race was contacted for comment.