LABOR has selected Tania Lawrence, a senior manager at Woodside, as its new candidate for the Darling Range by-election on June 23.
The seat became vacant after the resignation of former Labor MLA turned independent Barry Urban, who was found to have lied about his background.
Labor installed Colleen Yates as its candidate for the seat, but she withdrew last Friday after misrepresenting her education record on her Linkedin profile.
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READ NOWNow the party has pinned its hopes on Ms Lawrence, who lives within the seat on a property in Mundaring.
She has served in the public sector, including in emergency response management and counter-terrorism.
Ms Lawrence and her husband are successful small business owners and are active members of their local community.
She was also the first Western Australian and first woman president of Motorcycling Australia, and is a passionate motorbike enthusiast.
“Tania’s record speaks for itself, she will be a strong voice in my government,” Premier Mark McGowan said.
“As a local resident, with a wealth of experience in the public and private sectors, Tania will be an effective local Member of Parliament for this community.
“My government has a big, job-creating agenda for the Darling Range electorate and I want Tania leading the way, as we deliver on that agenda.”
Ms Lawrence said she is putting herself forward to be a strong voice for her local community in the McGowan Government.
“I live in Mundaring and love the lifestyle and opportunities our region has to offer,” she said.
“My community deserves to have a strong local voice in the McGowan Labor Government, and as a Mundaring local, I am putting myself forward to be that voice.
“The McGowan Government is getting on with delivering the projects and services our community needs – like the Byford rail line, fixing Denny Avenue, a new primary school in Byford, better health services and community safety initiatives.
“I will be an advocate for my community in the McGowan Labor Government – a strong, local voice standing up for what really matters.”
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