ALP candidate named for next state election April 16, 2014

Tanya Plibersek with ALP-endorsed candidate for the Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle, with Trish's sons Patrick and Tom.

Trish Doyle will be the ALP candidate in the next state election, after nominations closed last Friday.

Ms Doyle, who stood for the party in the last election, was the only nomination.

“I am proud to be endorsed as Labor’s candidate and I look forward to the March 2015 state election,” she said.

“I am a local school teacher, P&C president, proud mum of two fantastic boys and an active union member.

”The strong support and encouragement I have received from the community inspired me to put my name forward to contest the upcoming election for Labor.

“I have been Labor’s spokesperson in the Blue Mountains since 2011. Throughout this time, I have been highlighting the inadequacy of the O’Farrell government and in particular the inept ‘representation’ from the sitting MP.

“If elected, I will be a vocal advocate for the Blue Mountains in NSW Parliament because our community needs a strong voice in Macquarie Street, not a Macquarie Street mouthpiece in the Mountains.”

Ms Doyle said she wanted to work with the community to protect the unique world heritage environment of the Mountains, to improve public transport options, fight for a well-resourced TAFE and public education system and insist on safe and accessible health care services and supports our tireless health care workers.

She also wanted to support families, schools, small businesses and tourism in the aftermath of the October bushfires.

Ms Doyle was congratulated by the deputy opposition leader, Tanya Plibersek, at the Doc Evatt memorial dinner in Katoomba on Saturday.

The two have known each other since university when they were both women’s officers — Ms Plibersek at UTS and Ms Doyle at Macquarie.

“Tanya — her ideals and action around social justice issues — has always inspired me,” Ms Doyle said.

“She has been a motivating force for my venture into politics and has been a huge support to my boys and I during some very difficult times in our lives.”