FORMER Senator Ursula Stephens remains tight lipped on whether she’ll run for the seat of Goulburn at the March state election.
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Dr Stephens did not return the Post’s calls asking whether she’d be nominating for the race against Liberal and sitting member Pru Goward.
Goulburn Labor branch president Jason Shepherd said he couldn’t shed any light on the matter.
“She’s a happily retired senator,” he told the Post.
Dr Stephens has not rebuffed approaches to run. She has also hinted she’d make up her mind in mid-September upon returning from overseas.
Cr Robin Saville and an unknown female from Yass have already declared interest in nominating.
Mr Shepherd said Labor would treat the seat as “marginal.”
“We think it is winnable and we are looking at the allocation of resources in terms of money and a whether we have a high level campaign manager,” he said.
“That will also be a determinant of who puts up their hand.”
Mr Shepherd said Labor felt Ms Goward’s support was starting to “wane” not only with swing voters but her traditional, conservative base.
A “strong independent” could also come through the middle, changing dynamics. In addition, the Yass area was included in the redistributed seat, which Mr Shepherd described as almost a satellite of Canberra.
“The base population has changed,” he said.
By the end of October Labor would have either a candidate announced or the pre-selection process completed, Mr Shepherd said.
It will coincide with Country Labor conference in Queanbeyan from October 31 to November 2.
That leaves just five months to campaign before the election.
“I would have liked to have a candidate by now but it’s one of those things they need to do properly,” Mr Shepherd said.
It had been held up by preselections elsewhere and a “record number” of nominations.
Mr Shepherd said this was a reflection of the democratisation of the party, giving the rank and file a greater say.
Members will have 50 per cent input into candidate selection for Goulburn. The State Electoral Council, represented by about four branches, will also have 50pc say.
While two people have already nominated for Goulburn, Mr Shepherd believed they could decide not to run if others put up their hand.