Labor nominates O'Neill to fill Senate vacancy

Former Member for Robertson Ms Deborah O'Neill has been elected as the Labor nominee to fill the Senate seat vacated by Bob Carr.

The Party's administrative committee voted 35 to 1 in a ballot on Wednesday, October 30, to elect Ms O'Neill to fill the role until 2020.

"I am incredibly humbled to accept this responsibility to again represent the people of the Central Coast and NSW," Ms O'Neill said.

Ms O'Neill said education and regional jobs and services were her priorities in entering the Senate.

"We know that people in our regions don't have access to the same opportunities that our city cousins do in health, education and jobs," she said.

"We can't afford to let our regions suffer and we need to make sure they have a strong voice in the Federal Parliament.

"I look forward to fighting to ensure that the people of the Central Coast, and across NSW, get the few promises made by Mr Abbott in the lead up to the election."

Ms O'Neill appointment to the Senate must first be ratified by the NSW Parliament.

Media release, 30 Oct 2013

Richard Mehrtens, Office of Deborah O'Neill