Goward for Epping

Sex Discrimination Commissioner Pru Goward has confirmed she will run for preselection in the seat of Epping, following weeks of persistent rumours. The seat was vacated by the former Shadow Attorney General, Andrew Tink. It has been rumoured for some time that Goward would enter politics, either via the State seat of Epping, or the Federal seat of Hume, currently held by Alby Schultz. Since Epping was declared open, a veritable conga line of hopefuls have assembled to step in, from former Young Liberal leaders Tony Chappell and Ben Franklin to Adrienne Ryan, the former wife of Police Commissioner Peter Ryan.

Though Goward is well known for her friendship with John Howard (stop that giggling in the back row, you lot), she has also spoken out against recent Howard Government initiatives, particularly WorkChoices and Welfare to Work, and formed alliances with such unlikely figures as the ACTU's Sharan Burrow. If she does win preselection - and given the support of both the PM, Peter Debnam, and the wider Liberal Party executive, she should be considered a shoo in - her nomination should probably be considered a triumph against the David Clarke forces within the party. It could be argued that if the party was really daring (or, perhaps, really thought it was within coo-ee of an election win in 2007) it would give Goward a marginal seat to win, rather than a safe seat to slide into - but given the lack of talent on the State Opposition benches, they need all the help they can get.