A FORMER staffer to ALP heavyweight Senator Stephen Conroy has emerged as the man to beat in the heated race for pre-selection in Gellibrand.
Nicola Roxon’s announcement last month that she would be stepping down from the nation’s second-safest seat at the September 14 election has spurred jockeying for the vacancy.
Tim Watts, a Telstra executive and former adviser to Mr Conroy, Communications Minister and right-wing factional powerbroker, has been touted as the man most likely to take the candidacy, virtually guaranteeing a seat in Federal Parliament. Mr Watts worked as a solicitor before becoming Mr Conroy’s deputy chief of staff and a senior adviser to former Victorian premier John Brumby.
He announced his intention late last week in a letter to party members and on social media.
The announcement is likely to sit poorly with those fighting for female ALP candidates in winnable seats and has raised the hackles of local branch members pushing for a rank and file election of a local candidate.
Mr Watts responded to critics on Twitter by saying he intends to move to Footscray ahead of the September election.
“I don’t currently live in the electorate but will be moving there shortly. As for respecting party democracy, I’m going to be meeting all branch members and making my case. I’m following the same rules and process as everyone else.”
Other potential candidates include Daniel McKinnon and former Roxon staffer Katie Hall.
The Weekly understands nominations close next Tuesday, with voting due from April 7-9.
