By KATRINA BRANDON
FORMER Latrobe City Councillor, Tracie Lund will run on the Labor ticket for the seat of Morwell at this year’s state election.
Her preselection was formally announced last Friday (May 1) at a May Day dinner organised by the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council at Morwell RSL.
The announcement put to rest months of speculation.
Senator Raff Ciccone was on hand to officially mark Ms Lund’s candidacy.
Labor heavyweight Harriet Shing (state minister and Member for Eastern Victoria Region) was also in attendance, as was Labor candidate for Bass and former Latrobe Valley Authority Chief Executive, Chris Buckingham.
Sonny Stephens, who ran at last year’s federal election for Gippsland, is running in the state election for Gippsland South.
Senator Raff Ciccone highlighting Ms Lund’s frontline work, including at the Morwell Neighbourhood House and in her role as a local councillor.
He said that he has “no doubt that she will continue to do great things”.
Looking around the room of 140 people, Ms Lund thanked Senator Ciccone and attendees for their support.
Ms Lund spoke of her late husband Simon, noting his work to put through legislation to help frontline workers, such as firefighters, who are exposed to no shortage of hazards.
As the Member for Morwell, Ms Lund said she will work to help support locals with their issues and needs.
“This is my home,” she said.
“It’s our people and our stories, our struggles and our strengths. I’ve seen first-hand what happens in our community, what happens with communities, what happens when government gets it right, that actually help people thrive.
“I carry Simon with me every day. He fought for change, and he knew that he could not see that change; that legacy sits with me, and I have to finish the story. It drives me, and that’s why it matters so much.
“I believe we can win the seat. I believe we can bring Morwell back to where it belongs, to make it a Labor seat again.”
Ms Lund shared the story of Simon’s misfortune at an International Workers Memorial Day event last week.
