LABOR RANK-AND-FILE SELECT FEDERAL CANDIDATE

The Helensburgh branch of the ALP welcomed the selection of Sharon Bird as the candidate to contest the federal election for the seat of Cunningham. Helensburgh branch president, Craig Pepper, said that the selection was made by over 300 branch members as the party recognised the importance of the local members selecting their candidate.
"It was clear from the by-election last October that local people wanted to know that the Labor candidate was selected by local Party members. Sharon Bird has been solidly endorsed by our membership. We have faith in her commitment to our area and her ability to fight on for important issues like saving Medicare and bulk billing" Mr Pepper said.
Sharon Bird expressed her sincere appreciation of the faith and support of local Party members who have given her a second chance.
"Labor accepts that the by-election last year was a wake-up call. It was painful for myself and the Party but the people of Cunningham wanted to send us a message. We respect that and we have acted on this message." Ms Bird said.
Ms Bird emphasised the importance of Labor putting our solid, funded policies that addressed the concerns of local people. "We’ve developed a proposal that will save Medicare and bulk billing. Labor does not want to see the elderly, families or vulnerable people not going to the doctor because they can’t afford the visit. John Howard’s plan will give us an American health system and Australians don’t want that. At the next election we have to reject Howard’s plans for Medicare and elect a Labor Government. I am responsible for working to win Cunningham back to Labor as a step in stopping John Howard" Ms Bird stated.
Contact Sharon Bird 0412 532 814, Craig Pepper 0408 315 144. For information on ballot process and results: Returning Officer Paul Scully 0419 432 487.