One of the women seeking Labor preselection in former prime minister Julia Gillard's seat admits she only joined the party a few weeks ago and has no connection to Melbourne.
Lisa Clutterham is a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade diplomat now based in Papua New Guinea.
She says she has long aspired to a career in politics and was recently approached by Kevin Rudd supporter and new Trade Minister Richard Marles to stand for preselection in the safe seat of Lalor.
She says she's thrilled by the opportunity but freely admits her local credentials aren't strong.
"I don't have a connection with Melbourne and that's not something I'm shying away from," she told ABC radio in Melbourne.
Ms Clutterham says she's only been a member of the ALP since mid-June.
"So I'm a very new member," she said.
"It isn't much of a pedigree, but I'm in the camp of a majority of Australians, 99 per cent of whom are not members of political parties."
Nonetheless, she says she has the "merit, motivation and skill-set" to make an effective member of parliament.
Ms Gillard has endorsed former local primary school principal Joanne Ryan for the seat. Other preselection candidates include Sandra Willis, daughter of former Keating-era treasurer Ralph Willis, and unionist Kimberley Kitching.
Ms Clutterham rejected suggestions that if she prevails over Ms Ryan it will be a final snub to Ms Gillard.
"She is a role model of mine as Australia's first female prime minister," she said.
"I am confident she would have nothing but encouragement for young, aspiring female politicians."
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