Former Labor senator Louise Pratt has announced she will not be putting her hand up for the casual vacancy in the senate caused by the resignation of Senator Joe Bullock.

Ms Pratt has voiced her support for indigenous leader Pat Dodson to fill the seat after Labor Leader Bill Shorten announced Mr Dodson was his preferred candidate.

“I welcome and support Pat Dodson’s announcement of his candidacy for the casual vacancy in the Senate for Western Australia.” Ms Pratt said in a statement.

“I have always advocated greater diversity in our Parliament and Mr Dodson has the capacity and experience to make a significant contribution.”

The former senator is still hopeful of making a return to federal politics and holds the third spot on Labor’s senate ticket for the next federal election.

“I still have more to offer Western Australia and the country in public life, and hope to continue that in the future.” Ms Pratt said, “I look forward to campaigning in the next election, as a Candidate for the Senate and with Mr Dodson, to elect a Shorten Labor Government.”

Senator Bullock, who had a long running rivalry with Senator Pratt, announced his resignation in parliament on Monday citing his inability to support Labor’s policy allowing what he referred to as “homosexual marriage”.

The Labor party had installed Senator Bullock at the top of their senate ticket, bumping the incumbent senator Ms Pratt to the second position, ahead of the 2014 election. At the 2015 WA senate re-run election Ms Pratt did not secure a seat.

Many of Ms Pratt’s supporters had hoped that Senator Bullock’s resignation would be a pathway for Ms Pratt to immediately return to federal politics.

OIP Staff