Jodie Belyea named candidate for Dunkley after death of Peta Murphy

Anthony Albanese says the late Peta Murphy reached out to recruit Jodie Belyea for the Dunkley by-election before her death.

Anthony Albanese has announced the federal Labor government’s candidate for the seat of Dunkley following the passing of Peta Murphy.

Community leader and mother Jodie Belyea was named as Labor’s candidate for the upcoming by-election in the Victorian seat of Dunkley.

The Prime Minister, who visited Frankston on Thursday morning, said the late Ms Murphy reached out to recruit Ms Belyea before her death.

“I am very pleased (she) has accepted the challenge of being the candidate for Dunkley,” Mr Albanese said.

Ms Belyea is the founder of the Women’s Spirit Project, a not-for-profit organisation in Frankston that promotes women’s health and wellbeing.

New member for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea, speaks at a press conference with Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, at the Frankston Bowls Club in Frankston. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Mr Albanese said he believes Ms Belyea will build on the “extraordinary legacy” that Peta Murphy left behind.

“It is very sad what happened with Peta, she leaves an extraordinary legacy though,” he said.

“No two people are the same, they do remind me of each other in that they are both fighters, they’re both strong advocates.”

“Josie is not a career politician, she’s someone who I think is the right fit for this community to be a strong advocate.”

The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, at the Frankston Bowls Club in Frankston, to deliver a press conference with Labor candidate for Dunkley, Jodie Belyea. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Ms Belyea, founder of Women’s Spirit, said she had “big shoes to fill” and was looking to carry on the work of the late Ms Murphy.

A date for the upcoming seat on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

“I’m not going to necessarily be Peta, but I am going to lean into her legacy, committed to making a difference … I have big shoes to fill,” Ms Belyea said.

“I’m not a career politician, I am not interested in politics.”

“What I am interested in is creating a community that works together through working with governments at all levels,” she said.