Labor MP Jane Garrett plans to leave Brunswick seat for upper house

LATEST: Former emergency services minister Jane Garrett has confirmed she will leave her marginal seat of Brunswick, seeking preselection for another seat.

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FORMER emergency services minister Jane Garrett will leave her marginal seat of Brunswick to seek preselection for the upper house seat of Western Metro.

In a political bombshell, Ms Garrett said she had the support of industrial Left powerbrokers to make the switch from the Legislative Assembly to the Legislative Council.

Ms Garrett confirmed today that Australian Council of Trade Unions president Ged Kearney is considering a run for Brunswick, which is under siege from the Greens.

Former emergency services minister Jane Garrett is set to leave her marginal seat of Brunswick. Picture: David Caird

“I am pleased to announce that Ged Kearney, a Brunswick local and tireless representative of working people, has indicated that she is putting up her hand to be the new candidate for Brunswick,” Ms Garrett said.

“Ged Kearney is a person of principle and conviction who has spent her life fighting for fairness and justice. She is a national leader, a hero of the great Australian union movement and a Brunswick local for many years.

“Ged will be seeking the support of the hundreds of Brunswick Branch members for her pre selection to continue delivering the Victorian Andrews Labor Government’s progressive agenda. “Her candidacy has my full endorsement.

“I believe it is in the best interests of our community to welcome a new and experienced voice for Brunswick.

The influential union boss is close to Ms Garrett and lives in the seat.

Ms Garrett considered the move after Khalil Eideh announced he wouldn’t recontest his Western Metropolitan Region upper house seat last week.

“Many colleagues across the labour movement and members of the community have approached me and suggested I stand for this seat,” she said.

“It is well known I have faced some significant challenges in recent times, including health issues.

Ged Kearney at the National Press Club in Canberra. Picture: AAP/Mick Tsikas.

Victorian MP Khalil Eideh. Picture: AAP/Wayne Taylor.

“After very careful consideration and discussion with my friends, family and colleagues I have decided to take up this request.”

Ms Garrett said she was honoured to have served the Brunswick community.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve this community for the past seven years and I will continue to do so for the remainder of my term,” she said.

“I am a passionate believer in the importance of public policy and advocacy, and the role that the Australian Labor Party plays in ensuring Victoria can be a just and equal society.

“Should I have the honour of being preselected for the upper house I will focus my energies on these vital goals; on standing up for integrity, good government and sound outcomes for the people of the west and broader Victoria.

“Both Ged and I stand ready to serve the community and ensure the re-election of the Andrews Labor Government.”

Premier Daniel Andrews holds a press conference at Parliament with firefighters. Picture: Alex Coppel.

One of the factors that have influenced Ms Garrett’s decision include her battle with breast cancer, which has taken a private toll and led to her family urging her to make a shift.

It is also believed concerns within the party about a campaign from the United Firefighters Union — some of whose senior members are close to the Greens — could derail her bid to remain in Brunswick.

Ms Garrett and the UFU clashed heatedly during the height of the CFA crisis, which was triggered after the Labor minister refused to sign off on a controversial EBA.

Ms Garrett quit Cabinet in protest, and now sits on the backbench.

Western Metro is currently held by Khalil Eideh, but he has recently announced plans to retire at the next election.

More to come.