Former federal Senator Louise Pratt has declared her candidacy to be come the next  national President of the Labor Party.

In a statement published in ‘Challenge‘, the magazine for the party’s left faction the former Senator outlined her vision for the party’s future.

In her announcement Pratt said it was time for the Labor party to change, allowing for party members to have more of a say in the organisations direction and decision making. Encouraging more people to join the party was also high on Pratt’s agenda.

Pratt also said the party needed to stick together on the issue of marriage equality.

“Marriage equality is not a matter of conscience, but of equality and an overwhelming majority of Australians expect us to deliver on our platform. By sticking together we can.” Pratt said.

Pratt was the a member of the Western Australia Legislative Council from 2002 until 2007, In 2007 she was elected to the federal senate after securing the first spot of the Labor ticket.  Prior the 2013 election

Pratt was  bumped down on the ticket when a factional deal elevated right faction Union leader Joe Bullock to the top spot. Pratt won a seat at the following poll before the results were declared invalid. At the subsequent Senate re-run election she failed to garner sufficient votes.

Since leaving parliament Pratt and her partner Aram Hosie have celebrated the birth of their first child.

OIP Staff