Labor has second candidate

Bloodwood Tree Association chief executive Bob Neville will go up against Port Hedland Mayor Kelly Howlett for Labor pre-selection in the Pilbara.

The ALP last week confirmed Mr Neville and Ms Howlett as the only two nominees for the seat, with the successful candidate to be announced on May 21.

But Mr Neville, who is also chairman of the Pilbara Association of Non-Government Organisations, does not see himself in competition with Ms Howlett.

“I’ll be making my case to the State executive and at the end of the day it’s down to whoever they choose,” he said.

“If it’s me that’s great, and if it’s Kelly that’s great too.

“I certainly won’t shy away from supporting Kelly if she gets the nomination. The most important thing is that we get somebody local in the seat to represent us.”

Mr Neville said he decided to nominate for pre-selection months ago when it became clear Nationals leader Brendon Grylls was going to run for the seat.

“I’ve lived in the Pilbara for over 40 years … (this) is a special place, I love the Pilbara and I love the people,” he said.

“I think they deserve a lot more than somebody being dropped in from the Wheatbelt, so I thought I should put my hand up.”

While he admits Mr Grylls would make a formidable opponent, Mr Neville said he was confident Pilbara people would vote for a local candidate.

“I see going up against (Mr Grylls) as a challenge, probably the biggest challenge of my life,” he said.

“I would relish in it and look forward to it.”