Long-serving Labor federal MP Graham Perrett will bow out at next election

The long-serving MP will not stand for the Queensland seat of Moreton at the next election after 17 years, and the Prime Minister has announced a new candidate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Brisbane to announce the new Labor candidate for the seat of Moreton, Julie-Ann Campbell, left, who will replace retiring MP Graham Perrett as party candidate. Picture: NewsWire / David Clark

Anthony Albanese’s new contender for the Queensland federal seat of Moreton has been revealed following a long-serving Labor MP announcing he will bow out at the next election.

Mr Perrett will be replaced as candidate for the Brisbane suburban seat by lawyer and former Labor state secretary Julie-Ann Campbell.

The Prime Minister was in Brisbane on Saturday to announce Graham Perrett’s replacement for the federal seat, paying tribute to Mr Perrett for his service to the people in the Brisbane area.

Mr Perrett has held the seat since 2007 for the party.

“Graham, you are much loved and respected across the parliament, but you choose the time of your departure which is to your great credit,” Mr Albanese said.

“You have held this seat election after election … you get to choose, most people in politics don’t get to choose the time of their departure.”

Anthony Albanese was in the Brisbane suburb of Acacia Ridge on Saturday. Picture NewsWire / David Clark

Mr Albanese described the division of Moreton as one of the most multicultural seats in the nation.

“Julie-Ann Campbell with her background, part Chinese, is particularly well suited to engage with the community here like Graham has,” he said.

“Ms Campbell works at [professional services consultancy] EY and is someone who is passionate about economics, making a difference and cost of living pressures.”

The Prime Minister said three of Labor’s new candidates in Queensland were women and he was pleased to already have a female majority caucus in parliament.

Labor’s new candidate for the seat of Moreton Julie-Ann Campbell with Anthony Albanese. Picture NewsWire / David Clark

“What we are seeing is that Labor will continue to be party that recognises gender equity,” he said.

During the press conference, Mr Albanese pressed about upgrades to the state’s Bruce Highway after a chemical truck exploded in a fatal crash destroying a section of the road.

The crash was the third fatality on the highway in a week reigniting calls for a dual carriageway for the entire length of the Bruce Highway.

“The Bruce Highway is a major project that we are contributing $10 billion for the Bruce Highway,” he said.

Mr Albanese said the federal government had contributed $10bn to upgrade the Bruce Highway. Picture: NewsWire / David Clark

“What Queenslanders had enough of under the former government, for example the Rockhampton Ring Road, was to actually do something about it rather than put out a press release.

“Queenslanders know you can’t drive on a press release, you need a road, and in order to complete the road you need workers, you need the concrete and other materials that are required in the supply chain and you need to make sure you get all the planning right,” Mr Albanese said.

“I am committed to do things as soon as possible and we are working through with the Queensland government who actually manage these projects.”