Labor is expected to anoint a relative newcomer as its candidate to take on sitting Liberal MP Melissa McIntosh at this year’s Federal Election.
The Weekender understands Hollie McLean has been given the nod to try and win the crucial Federal seat.
McLean was elected to Penrith City Council to represent the South Ward at the Local Government Election last year.
McIntosh holds the Penrith-based seat by 6.3 per cent, bucking the trend and earning a swing to her at the last election. She has held the seat since 2019 and is looking to retain it for a third time.
Labor ran firefighter Trevor Ross as its candidate at the 2022 poll, with the campaign never getting really any traction.
McLean is seen as a fresh face as Labor tries to grab the seat as part of its mission to retain government.
In her campaign to become a Penrith City Councillor McLean always spoke of her plan to be a strong advocate for the people she represented.
“The people who have a voice at the table matter and it matters that we also hear the voices that are speaking to us from the community,” McLean said at her inaugural speech to Penrith City Council.
“It matters that we use what we have to be able to platform other voices.”
McLean has only been a Penrith City Councillor for four months but is now looking to try her hand at Federal politics.
The Federal Election has not yet been called by Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, but it is expected to be held before the end of May.
McLean was contacted for comment, but was unable to speak until Labor officially declared its candidate for the seat.
The party is expected to confirm McLean will be its candidate in the coming days.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.