Anthony Albanese confirms Labor’s pick to take on Dai Le in western Sydney

She was controversially overlooked in 2022 for Kristina Keneally, but Labor is now set to install a Vietnamese-Australian lawyer in a bid to take back Fowler from Dai Le.

Tu Le, the local Vietnamese lawyer to challenge Dai Le for Labor. Picture: News Corp

Anthony Albanese has confirmed Labor’s pick to try and win the western Sydney seat of Fowler, with Vietnamese-Australian lawyer Tu Le endorsed by the party three years after being snubbed for former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally.

The Prime Minister made the announcement alongside Ms Le in Cabramatta on Friday morning, with the party bidding to wrest the former Labor heartland seat from popular Independent MP Dai Le.

It’s a first shot at the federal government for Ms Le, who was overlooked by Labor in the 2022 election when the party instead parachuted in former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, despite the shadow minister being based on Sydney’s affluent Northern Beaches.

The move backfired spectacularly, with Dai Le winning a 16 per cent swing against Labor in the party’s traditional heartland.

The Prime Minister will hope the move will help win back voters furious over the captain’s pick of Ms Keneally into the seat last time around.

Tu Le, the new federal Labor Candidate for Fowler and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meet excited locals in Freedom Plaza, Cabramatta. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Dai Le’s victory is the first time the seat hasn’t been held by Labor since it was created in 1984.

Mr Albanese on Friday said “my government is a strong supporter of multiculturalism” as he introduced Ms Le, the daughter of Vietnamese refugees who came to Australia in the wake of the Vietnam War.

“I’m very familiar with this community, and Tu Le will be an amazing representative,” he said.

“She’s a great candidate, but she’ll be even better as a local member who will have a voice in government and be able to get things done.”

It’s Ms Le’s latest tilt at contesting an election.

After she was thwarted in 2022 by the preselection of Ms Keneally, Ms Le attempted to run for the party in the 2023 NSW election in Cabramatta.

But that bid was torpedoed when branch members instead voted in favour of Tri Vo, who was subsequently elected to parliament.

Ms Le on Friday said she was a “proud westie”.

Independent Fowler MP Dai Le won the seat in 2022, after a massive voter backlash against Labor. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I grew up in South West Sydney … and I am currently raising my young family with my husband, Kelvin, in Mount Pritchard in the local area,” she said.

“My parents came to Australia after the Vietnam War, I was fortunate to have been raised in Australia and benefit from the best possible public education.”

The community lawyer said she now worked “supporting the most marginalised people” in the community, including victims of domestic violence, refugees, and migrants.

“Growing up in South West Sydney, and being the daughter of refugees, I understand deeply the power of equal opportunity and what it takes to overcome disadvantage,” she said.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese confirms Labor’s pick to take on Dai Le in western Sydney