In a bid to regain a former safe seat, Labor has brought back a local candidate who was previously replaced by a senior minister. Lawyer Tu Le has been pre-selected to contest the seat of Fowler in Sydney’s southwest at the federal election.
Tu Le was initially considered a strong candidate for the seat in the 2022 election but was replaced by former New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally, sparking backlash as Keneally was not from the electorate. This decision led to a more than 15 percent swing against Labor, resulting in the loss of the seat to independent candidate Dai Le, who now holds it by just 1.6 percent.
It marked the first time Labor had lost Fowler since its creation in 1984. Tu Le, the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, has a background in community law, particularly in supporting survivors of domestic violence.
Speaking to reporters, Tu Le emphasized her understanding of equal opportunity and her dedication to advocating for the needs of the community. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Tu Le as a fitting community representative, highlighting her potential to be an effective local member with a strong voice in government.
The upcoming election is scheduled to take place by May 2025, with Tu Le positioning herself as a candidate committed to serving the community of Fowler within the Labor government.
