Labor goes for celebrity

Labor has rolled out a celebrity candidate, former ABC reporter Maxine McKew, to take on the Prime Minister in his North West Sydney suburban seat of Bennelong.

The ALP has bounced its prospective candidate, plumber and Parramatta Councillor, Pierre Esber, who is less than impressed.

John Howard stoically declared he would have to work even harder for his constituency, while Government hit man and Health Minister Tony Abbott attacked the star Labor recruit as a celebrity.

“John Howard is Mr Bennelong and I think Maxine will be Madam Blow-In as far as Bennelong voters will be concerned,” Mr Abbott told Sky News.

The seat has become increasingly marginal and is one of 16 seats Labor has to win to achieve power in its own right.

Polling last week suggested Labor would win the seat but this is unlikely given Mr Howard's personal profile and the significant swing needed to win.

Labor says it is planning more celebrity candidates