NOT DONE YET: ENTSCH WANTS ANOTHER TILT AT LEICHHARDT TITLE
Entsch to contest election
WARREN Entsch is to seek a sixth term for the Coalition.
In the face of speculation to the contrary, the Federal Member for Leichhardt yesterday announced his intention to contest the next federal election.
“I still have unfinished business to achieve,” Mr Entsch said.
“I am unaware if I will face a challenge … we are a grassroots party where local members choose who they want to represent them.”
“If I am fortunate enough to be preselected by the local members, I know the next election will be tough.”
The incumbent member would take on Labor’s Elida Faith in the election, due to be held before May 18, 2019.
The Prime Minister was the fourth person to be informed of his decision after Mr Entsch’s family, staff and close confidants.
“The Prime Minister had about 10 minutes notice,” Mr Entsch said.
“He rang me saying that he had read I was holding a press conference … he genuinely did not know. “
“He said ‘you’re a legend, I really appreciate it’.”
Although it is early days to consider a platform for a potential sixth term, Mr Entsch said his past wins would feature during the campaign.
“I’ll be highlighting achievements that I’ve had and reflecting back to 1996,” he said.
High on that list would be same-sex marriage, for which he has long crusaded, and funding for the Mareeba Wetlands.
“When you’ve had some longevity, some people forget the things you’ve actually achieved.” Mr Entsch said.
He said he would not push for a cabinet position. “I’m not interested,” he said. “I’m not there to further my career, I’m there to make things happen … I have far more freedom to speak out about any issue I choose.”
Mr Entsch was first elected to the House of Representatives in the 1996 federal election and served for three terms as the Member for Leichhardt before his defeat in 2007.
He won back the seat in 2010 from ALP incumbent Jim Turnour and was re-elected in 2016 with 39.4 per cent of first preference votes.
He said the election would not be a pushover.
“Leichhardt isn’t a safe seat, not by any stretch of the imagination,” Mr Entsch said.
“We’ll be a target seat.”