With just under two months until the state election, WA Labor is now scrambling to find a new candidate for Thornlie after Daniel Morrison-Bird’s shock announcement that he is quitting as the party’s nominee for the seat.
In a statement posted on Facebook and sent out by email on Monday afternoon, Morrison-Bird said he had made the difficult decision to step down as WA Labor’s candidate for Thornlie at the upcoming state election.
“After reflecting with my family over the Christmas break, it became clear to me that now is not the right time for me to enter politics. I have therefore come to the difficult decision to withdraw as WA Labor’s Candidate for Thornlie,” he said.
“While a tough choice, I feel that I can’t give the personal commitment necessary at this time.”
“I have greatly enjoyed connecting with the community and would like to thank all community groups and individuals for taking the time to speak with me and support my campaign.”
The WA Labor Party is now in the process of selecting a new candidate, with Attorney-General John Quigley’s former Chief of Staff, Colleen Egan, a Walkley Award-winning former journalist, rumoured to be a likely replacement.
As chief executive of Wungening Aboriginal Corporation, an organisation that provides frontline drug and alcohol support, family violence, child protection, and homelessness services across Perth, and with experience serving on several community services boards, Morrison-Bird was a star candidate and favourite to win the traditionally stronghold Labor seat of Thornlie.
Speaking to Examiner Newspapers, retiring member for Thornlie, Labor’s Chris Tallentire, whom Morrison-Bird had worked closely with, said he is disappointed but understands Morrison-Bird’s decision.
“I wish Daniel Morrison-Bird all the best and respect his decision,” Tallentire said.
“There’s no escaping the fact that this is disappointing news, but family always comes first and that’s the choice Daniel has made.”
Reacting to news that Morrison-Bird had stepped down, Kevin McDonald, who ran as the WA Liberal candidate for Thornlie in the 2021 state election and is now running as an independent with the endorsement of the WA Police Union, said it makes no difference to him who Labor selects as the new candidate, as he believes they take the voters of Thornlie for granted.
“I anticipate a new candidate will continue to serve our community in the same way Labor always has – with blatant disregard for critical infrastructure.”
“An obvious example is how Labor has completely ignored Maddington and Gosnells voters who were deliberately left out when it came to elevated rail crossings.”
“Labor takes our vote for granted, always has, and it’s time they were called out.”
The 2025 Western Australian state election is set to take place on Saturday, March 8.
