Everything you need to know about Labor candidate Gen Allpass

Here’s everything you need to know about the Labor Party’s candidate for the federal electorate of Groom, Toowoomba woman Genevieve Allpass.

GEN TO FIGHT FOR GROOM: The Australian Labor Party have revealed who will be its federal candidate in the Coalition-held seat of Groom in the next federal election with Anthony Albanese making the announcement in Brisbane over the weekend. Toowoomba woman, Genevieve Allpass (left) with leader of the federal opposition party, Anthony Albanese. Picture: Social media

Genevieve Allpass, a teacher and former chief executive of a Toowoomba-based refugee advocacy charity, will contest the Coalition-held seat of Groom as the Labor Part candidate at the next federal election.

Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese announced Ms Allpass has been picked to be the Labor Party’s federal candidate for the Toowoomba division from Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.

The Labor Party have revealed who will be its federal candidate in the Coalition-held seat of Groom in the next federal election with Anthony Albanese making the announcement in Brisbane over the weekend. Picture: Facebook

Ms Allpass is currently a teachers’ assistant focusing on English at a Toowoomba high school.

The passionate unionist spoke at the Labour Day flag raising ceremony held at the Toowoomba Railway precinct last month, addressing several local, state and national challenges faces by workers from a range of backgrounds.

Despite facing a steep battle in the electorate which has only had National or Liberal members since its inception, Ms Allpass said this wasn’t her first foray into politics having been involved with local politics and social issues all her life.

Genevieve Allpass speaking at the 2021 Labour Day flag raising ceremony held at the Toowoomba Railway precinct. Picture: Nev Madsen

“I’m a long time member of the Toowoomba community, having moved to the region during high school where I attended Centenary Heights State High and I joined the Australian Labor Party in 2013,” Ms Allpass said.

“Throughout the years I have a proven record of working hard for the community and acting and speaking out on the behalf of, particularly those who come from marginalised groups.”

Ms Allpass said she believed she had forged a strong platform over the years and hoped to continue to use her platform to stand up for others.

Andrew and Genevieve Allpass at the 2021 Red Hot Summer Tour in Queens Park. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“Over the last several years I have been a voice for people within the Groom electorate who have otherwise gone without a voice including refugees, workers, women and Indigenous members of the community,” she said.

“I believe a lot of different groups need support right now, especially when it comes to affordable long term housing and social housing which is an issue I think desperately needs to be addressed in the Groom electorate right now.”

The Highfields resident said she would be conducting formal and informal meet and greets over the next several days as well as carrying out door knocking over the next few weeks.

“I’m very honoured to be a candidate for the Australian Labor Party but I’m still the same person,” she said.

“I like to sit down and have a chat with people, hear their problems and try to find solutions where I can.”