Long-standing member of the WA Queer Community and current Upper House MLC Louise Pratt is set to move into Federal politics after the next election.

Last month, Ms Pratt won the Australian Labor Party pre-selection battle against sitting members Senator Mark Bishop and Senator Ruth Webber. With Ms Pratt and Senator Bishop, number one and two on the ticket respectively, the vote has sounded a certain death knell for Senator Webber who was embroiled in a driver’s license fiasco early last year.

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‘I will remain a member of the WA State Parliament until the Federal election is called and then I have to resign, as far as how far off that will be; well that is anyone’s guess,â? stated Ms Pratt to OUTinPerth.

‘Once I am elected I will have to wait until July 1st 2008 to be sworn in.â?

There is of course certainty now in Ms Pratt making her way to Canberra at the next election, however there needed to be a vote in the party room first to get her there.

‘It was very humbling to receive such a large amount of support,â? added Ms Pratt.

‘At a state level it is now up to the Electoral Commission who will replace me, however I don’t think there will be a bi-election because the candidate who was second on the ALP ticket after me for East Metro, Bartong Phan, will be elected.â?
Ms Pratt was elected to the WA Upper House in 2001 and re-elected as the Member for East Metropolitan last year. A member of the party’s left faction, Ms Pratt has served the WA Labor Party well, and has been a passionate advocate for the queer community.

‘Before I entered Parliament I was the Convenor of Gay and Lesbian Equality (GALE) WA for many years.â?

The pre-selection of Ms Pratt has certainly mapped out this young politicians life for the next seven and a half years.

‘It’s great looking that far into the future, and I am excited about being part of the Federal Labor party team.â?

The hard work that Ms Pratt has done in her time so far in state politics has certainly paid off with this reward.

‘I won’t be shying away from the areas of strong interest that I have developed so far and I look forward to working on issues such as industrial relations, greenhouse, environmental sustainability, human rights, refugees and housing affordability,â? added Ms Pratt.

‘It will be business as usual regarding my work in these areas.â?

As a former Convenor of GALE, Ms Pratt is all too familiar with a struggle and is committed to being a part of a Labor Government at a Federal level.

‘I ‘m a team player and look forward to making contribution to a Beazley Labor Government.â?

While political commentators and pundits are discussing what this means for the various powerful ALP factions, Perth’s queer community will be celebrating having ‘one of our ownâ? in Canberra.