MacTiernan denies she has designs on Albany

Labor stalwart Alannah MacTiernan has emphatically denied she is aiming to take the seat of Albany from long-serving MP Peter Watson at the 2021 election.

Rumours of a possible push by Ms MacTiernan have been doing the rounds in political circles, prompting comments from Nationals MP Terry Redman in State Parliament last week that she was interested in the seat.

In response to questions from the Albany Advertiser, Ms MacTiernan denied there had been any discussions between herself and Mr Watson or within the WA Labor Party.

The prominent frontbencher also ruled out running for the seat in the future, despite her strong links to Albany.

Ms MacTiernan, who owns property in Albany and has made frequent visits to the city in the past 18 months in her role as regional development minister, was in the city again on Saturday to launch the CBH silo mural.

Mr Watson also dismissed the rumour, saying it was “absolutely rubbish”.

“I haven’t decided what I am going to do at the end of the election,” he said.

“For Alannah to run for the seat of Albany, she would have to resign from the Upper House before the election, which she won’t do.”

Mr Redman told Parliament last week there had been a “little whisper” about Ms MacTiernan’s future.

“We are hearing on the ground that you, Mr Speaker (Mr Watson), retire at the end of this term, Hon. Alannah MacTiernan may be interested in the electorate of Albany,” Mr Redman said.

“That little whisper is going around the place, too.”

Should Ms MacTiernan run in Albany, it would be another chapter in her storied political career which has already included two separate stints in the State Upper House, 12 years as State MP for Armadale, three years as Federal MP for Perth, and roles at the cities of Perth and Vincent.