Labor MP Brian Mitchell may make way for former Tasmanian leader Rebecca White in key federal marginal
A three-term Tasmanian Labor federal marginal seat MP is under pressure to make away for a new candidate – and flags he may agree to go quietly in the party’s interests.
Federal Labor MP Brian Mitchell may not recontest his Tasmanian seat of Lyons — or be pushed-out — to allow former state leader Rebecca White to take on the ultra-marginal seat.
Three-term MP Mr Mitchell on Monday told The Australian while he intended “at this stage” to nominate for preselection, Labor should “grab with both hands” Ms White, should she seek to replace him.
“Rebecca and I are both committed to actions that are in the best interests of the communities we serve, including the return of a Labor government that has delivered more jobs, higher wages, bigger tax cuts, lower inflation and cheaper medicines,” Mr Mitchell said. “At this stage I intend to put my name forward again. But if Rebecca chooses to seek federal office, the party should grab her with both hands.
“Rebecca is practical, hardworking and tough and, if she chooses to stand, would be a terrific advocate for regional Tasmanians in Canberra.“
Mr Mitchell won the sprawling, largely rural and partly urban fringe seat in 2016 and held it in 2019 and 2022.
However, it has become increasingly marginal and Labor’s federal office, among others, believes Ms White, popular in the electorate, has a better chance of defending the .9 per cent margin.
Ms White is understood to be willing to switch from her current state seat of Lyons, which exactly mirrors the federal seat of the same name, but does not want a preselection stoush.
It is understood Mr Mitchell, 57, is being strongly urged by federal figures to agree to make way for Ms White, 41.
He is expected to stand aside for Ms White, should she be given public endorsement by the party before preselection nominations open.
If there is no such endorsement before nominations open, it is expected Mr Mitchell would nominate but that Ms White, if she also nominated, would likely prevail.
Ms White, who left the state leadership after presiding over Labor’s third consecutive state election loss, on Monday declined to comment on whether she intended to nominate for the federal seat. Senior Labor figures believe her strong support in Lyons could “make the difference” in a tight tussle.
Liberal candidate Susie Bower secured a 13 per cent swing to the Liberals in 2022 and has been campaigning ever since.
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