Labor’s Katy Gallagher has declared she is ready to return to the Senate, ruling out a shift to the lower house.

Gallagher, who was declared ineligible to have been elected in May, when the high court found she had not done enough to renounce British citizenship before her election, had been tipped as a potential candidate for a new Australian Capital Territory lower house seat.

Her high court case led to the resignation of three Labor lower house MPs, as well as that of the crossbencher Rebekha Sharkie, sparking the 28 July “super Saturday” byelections.



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The union boss David Smith has been endorsed to replace Gallagher in the Senate, and said he would hold on to the seat, ending speculation he would immediately hand the spot back to the former ACT chief minister.

But in an email to supporters sent out on Friday morning, Gallagher said she had sought guidance and had decided to renominate for Labor’s ACT Senate ticket for the next federal election.

“It wasn’t a straightforward decision, but I sought the advice of trusted mentors and friends and I also talked with, and listened to, many ACT Labor members and Canberrans who took the time to speak to me, send me emails and messages, and shared their views on what they would like to see me do next,” she said.

“I believe that my experience as a minister and leader along with my federal parliamentary experience mean that the Senate is the place where I can be most useful to Canberra and to progressive politics.

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“I take nothing for granted in life. ACT Labor’s preselection outcome is never a done deal. We are lucky to have a robust process where every eligible member gets to have a vote. It’s this process that has always seen such strong representation both federally and locally in our candidates and it is a process I welcome.”

Gallagher’s announcement is expected to set Smith up as the lead candidate for the third ACT lower house seat, which was created during a draft redrawing of the ACT’s federal boundaries.

Penny Wong, the leader of the opposition in the Senate, “warmly” welcomed Gallagher’s announcement, all but guaranteeing her return.

“Katy is a woman of great integrity, who is committed to serving her community,” Wong said in a statement.

“She is an outstanding representative of the ACT, an outstanding senator and an important part of Labor’s Senate leadership team.

“Katy is, quite simply, too good to lose ... I look forward to welcoming her back to the Senate.”

