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Seatless Vic MP sets sights on Kew

The Victorian government’s most high-profile victim of an electoral boundary redistribution has been thrown a lifeline after one of the Liberal Party’s safest seats became available for the 2014 election.

Liberal frontbencher Mary Wooldridge has announced she will seek pre-selection for the seat of Kew, which adjoins her soon-to-be-abolished seat of Doncaster.

The announcement follows the resignation of former corrections minister Andrew McIntosh who has been a member of parliament for 13 years.

Ms Wooldridge said standing in Kew would be like “coming home”.

“I grew up in Kew, I went to school in Kew, I bought my first home in Kew,” Ms Wooldridge said on Tuesday.

However, the community services minister said her future was by no means assured.

“There are a number of steps which need to happen,” Ms Wooldridge said.

“I will be seeking the support of the Liberal Party members in Kew to represent them and the broader Kew community in the parliament after the 2014 election.

“That will have to go through the process of the party before it will be determined if that is the case.”

The seat of Doncaster, the second safest Liberal seat in the state, is one of 15 to be abolished or renamed under the boundary changes.

Ms Wooldridge said having your seat abolished was not something an MP expected.

“It’s probably one of the most unfortunate things that can happen to an MP,” Ms Wooldridge said.

Kew is the Liberal Party’s eighth safest seat, with Labor requiring a swing of more than 15 per cent to win the seat at the November 2014 poll.

Mr McIntosh said his decision not to recontest the seat would allow him to spend more time with his wife and son, and to pursue other community and professional interests.

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