Karen Porter
A mother-of-five has entered the battle for the federal seat of Eden-Monaro despite the chaos surrounding the seat’s vacancy. Karen Porter will be running as an independent under the ‘New Liberals party’ banner after Labor member Dr Mike Kelly announced his retirement due to ill health. Source: Timberbiz
Eden Monaro became a bloody battleground earlier this month after a highly publicised scuffle between NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance and NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.
The announcement will likely pave the way for a contest among three high-powered women, with Labor putting up Bega Valley mayor Kristy McBain and speculation the Coalition will preselect local farmer Fiona Kotvojs.
Ms Porter is a mother of five whose children range from age 29 down to 13, and runs a sustainability focused business in Canberra, but lives in Bredbo on the Monaro plain. She has listed her major campaign policies as climate change, small business and anti-corruption initiatives in a biography on the New Liberals website.
Ms Porter has a wealth of government experience, having worked in both local and federal Government for 22 years and is on the board of directors of the Master Builders Association.
The by-election has been a hot topic since the announcement of Dr Mike Kelly’s retirement on 30 April. The Liberals’ 2019 candidate for the seat, Fiona Kotvojs who lost by 0.9%, has declared she will run.
Bega mayor Kristy McBain has already been selected as Labor’s candidate.
