News

Is there a Labor candidate for Nicholls?

By Youssef Saudie

Apr 12, 2022

Currently no Labor: Less than 40 days into the federal election, an ALP candidate has not been announced. Photo by Panorama Images

There is still no Australian Labor Party candidate for federal seat of Nicholls less than six weeks out from the election.

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Nominations close at noon on April 21 and, if no one puts up their hand, it would be the first time in more than 20 years no Labor candidate has contested the seat.

In the 2019 election ALP candidate Bill Lodwick polled the second-highest number of votes with 18,493, behind The National’s Damian Drum with 48,855, according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

Mr Drum has retired, choosing not to contest another election.

Other candidates are aware preferences of any ALP candidate could play an important role in the outcome of the federal election.

An ALP spokesperson told The News, “Labor is undertaking internal processes to finalise a strong and effective candidate to represent the people of Nicholls”.

The News contacted two ALP senators’ offices, but they were not aware of any candidate being selected yet.

Goulburn Valley Trades and Labour Council and Australian Metal Workers Union National Secretary for the Food Industry member, Jason Hefford told The Riverine Herald he had spoken to the ALP about running as a candidate several weeks ago.

But he no longer had the time and “didn’t have a clue” who would run as the Labor candidate in Nicholls.

Past ALP candidates have included Alan John Williams (2016), Rod Higgins (2013) and Hugh Mortensen (2010).