McConnell makes a Major call
Fight for true northerner in ALP
A FRUSTRATED senior Labor figure in Townsville says “parachuting” a senator into the North would send a “pretty sad message” about what the party thinks of regional Queensland.
The fiery comments from co- convener of the Townsville ALP branch and the Northern Left Alec McConnell come as the faction is embroiled in a bitter Senate preselection fight.
The battle to replace outgoing Queensland senator Claire Moore has divided the Left faction along geographical lines.
Labor sources said party powerbrokers in Brisbane were pushing a candidate from the southeast, which has angered members in the North where there is currently no Labor senator.
Of the five candidates on the Labor Left ballot two are from far north Queensland – Tania Major and Karin Campbell.
In a leaked email seen by the Townsville Bulletin, Mr McConnell said he believed Ms Major, a former Young Australian of the Year, was the “only candidate” membership and unions should support.
“The idea of a ‘ parachute’ senator for the North lacks credibility and sends a pretty sad message to the outside world about what the ALP thinks of regional Queensland and its enormous progressive talent pool,” he said.
Mr McConnell said there was a perception in regional and remote Queensland that representatives from the southeast were like “cockatoos”.
“They fly up here, s--- all over the place and then fly back home, leaving a mess,” he said. “The joke will truly be on the North if we do not select a true regional Queenslander as our next senator.”
Mr McConnell said there was a “huge amount of frustration” felt across the region within Labor, which was why the party should back Ms Major.
“Tania Major actually has a long- held national profile and history of successful advocacy for her people,” he said.
In an email pitched at voting members, Ms Major said she believed she had the credentials and track record to deliver progressive policies for Queensland.
“As a lifelong North Queenslander, with political and real- world life experience, I understand what it takes to connect with regional communities that Labor needs to win to form government,” she said.
Ms Major is planning a road trip from Mossman to Coolangatta to promote her candidacy.