Glasson to challenge Rudd
FORMER Australian Medical Association president Bill Glasson will attempt to unseat Kevin Rudd at the next federal election.
Dr Glasson was, this week, pre-selected as the Liberal National Party's candidate for the Brisbane seat of Griffith, which Mr Rudd holds by a margin of 8.46%.
Mr Rudd experienced a two-party-preferred swing of 3.86% against him at the 2010 election
In the two years since the election Mr Rudd's popularity appears to have built across the country.
It is difficult to know whether this popularity will be reflected in his own electorate.
Dr Glasson, who has lived in Griffith electorate his entire adult life, told ABC radio he though Mr Rudd was "very beatable".
"I look forward to getting out and working with the people of our terrifically diverse electorate in the weeks and months ahead," Dr Glasson said in a statement.
"The next election will be the most important for a generation and the result will directly influence the standard of living for all Australians."
Apart from his former roles with the AMA, Dr Glasson is the current president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
LNP state director Brad Henderson had "the experience to do the job".
"Dr Bill Glasson has devoted his life to community service and to working with people from all walks of life," Mr Henderson said.
Mr Rudd's office had not issued a statement on Dr Glasson's pre-selection.
