Michelle O’Byrne rules out contesting Labor leadership

She’s been speculated as a contender for the Labor leadership, and now long-standing MP Michelle O’Byrne has decided whether she’ll have a crack. The decision + Her vision for Labor.

Labor member for Bass Michelle O'Byrne. Picture: Patrick Gee

Labor MP Michelle O’Byrne has ruled out having a tilt at the party’s leadership.

Ms O’Byrne, who received the second highest personal vote of any Labor candidate at the March 23 election behind former leader Rebecca White, ended speculation she may throw her hat into the ring.

“I’ve talked it over with my family and supporters last night and whilst I appreciate the encouragement and support from rank and file members I have ruled out running,” she said.

“I appreciate that my decision will be disappointing to some people who would have liked a democratic ballot for our party’s leader.

“I think ballots are important and that’s why people join a party. Membership engagement is very important.”

There had been pressure from some quarters for Ms O’Byrne to contest the leadership.

She is the most experienced Labor MP in parliament having served as a federal member for Bass from 1998-2004 before running for the House of Assembly in 2006 and topping the poll with 23.3 per cent of first preferences.

Ms O’Byrne has served as a minister and also was deputy opposition leader.

Tasmanian Parliament Question Time, Michelle O'Byrne MP and outgoing Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Chris Kidd

In the past three years both her parents have died and she helped care for a friend who had motor-neurone disease.

“I’m heartened by the support people have shown me,” she said.

“As a party we need to reflect on how the parliament grew to 35 seats but we grew to 10.

“That is very concerning and we need to look deeply at how we can give Tasmanians the best opportunities.

“People don’t have anywhere to live. There are Tasmanians who cannot afford to live and that is an indictment on all of us.

“A hallmark of Labor has always been that we help people.”

Ms O’Bryne said Labor needed to “reflect on the pathway and decisions” made in the past 10 years and “where we go from here”.

“We should be continually working towards achieving good progressive Labor governments,” she said.

Some senior Labor sources said members were demanding someone stand against Dean Winter who remains the only candidate to publicly reveal he will run as leader.

“Members are asking ‘do we get a say’ and that’s a reasonable question after a decade of losses,” he said.

“When Anthony Albanese and Bill Shorten contested the leadership it gave members a choice and they could hear about their policies and priorities.”

The Parliamentary Labor Party, which will include newcomer Meg Brown in Franklin, will meet next week with Mr Winter now almost certain to be elected unopposed.