THE man likely to take the baton from Nicola Roxon in representing Gellibrand in Federal Parliament hopes voters will be able to look past the tumultuous ALP preselection battle.
Tim Watts (pictured), who was officially endorsed by the party last week after securing most votes in the local ballot, said the ALP must regroup and focus on a tough campaign against an opposition well ahead in the polls.
“I think it was good to have a healthy contest for preselection. The five candidates all put in a hardworking campaign, but it was obviously extremely disappointing to see some of the actions taken late in the campaign.”
This included a ‘dirt sheet’ sent to local members making claims about candidate Katie Hall, who had been backed by retiring MP Nicola Roxon.
Ms Roxon accused elements of the party of misogyny and lashed out at the “malicious, nasty and false” material.
Mr Watts said he would hate to see women dissuaded from running for preselection in future.
“Katie’s to be congratulated and should be proud of what she has done.”
Many in the party questioned Mr Watts’ nomination, claiming the seat should be reserved for a female candidate.
He also came under fire for living in Fitzroy, outside the Gellibrand electorate.
But with the backing of factional heavyweight Stephen Conroy and a busy few weeks campaigning, Mr Watts prevailed over his nearest rival Kimberley Kitching.
Mr Watts, 31, said his priority was to “get out on the ground and start selling Labor’s message and the real achievements this government has made”.
The Telstra executive knows it’s an uphill battle but says it’s too important an election to throw in the towel. “As the Prime Minister said, this is going to be tough for Labor. This situation is due in no small part to our own doing. But Tony Abbott’s agenda will harm people. It will be damaging for the west across the board with less money for important things like education.”
Mr Watts said he intended to move to the electorate and show people he was serious about representing them in Parliament.
