Mon 13 Dec 2010 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Louisa Wall After a brief stint in Parliament, Louisa Wall has a strong chance of representing the Labour Party as an MP once again after winning the nomination to contest the Manurewa seat. The seat is being vacated by long-time MP George Hawkins, who is retiring at the end of this term. Wall is an out lesbian who has represented New Zealand in both rugby and netball. The policy advisor has already been an MP, entering Parliament in March 2008 when list MP Ann Hartley retired, however she did not return in the election later that year. Her nomination to contest Manurewa was not without controversy – it took more than eight hours for a decision to be made, as Hawkins said he would force a by-election if Wall did not win the nomination. Hawkins did not want union organiser Jerome Mika, who had the backing of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, to be selected. He was unhappy with the way the EPMU promoted Mika, as if he had already been selected. "He wasn't in the electorate. I thought local people should have someone who has worked in the electorate, is known to everyone in the organisation and I think we will do very well at the next election," Hawkins told the NZ Herald. Wall was backed by the Service and Food Workers Union.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 13th December 2010 - 10:25am