By DAN MOSS, STATE PARLIAMENT EDITOR
THE next likely Lyndhurst MP could be chosen by March 20 after the Labor Party meets to preselect its candidate this week.
Party officials on the ALP’s administrative committee will meet on Thursday to choose how they will preselect a candidate for the Lyndhurst byelection, ALP state secretary Noah Carroll said.
Insiders suggest their meeting is likely to choose the shortest possible timeline, given that a byelection date is set by the Liberal Speaker Ken Smith.
Mr Smith could theoretically choose a date between March 20 and early May, but the actual date won’t be known until he issues a writ.
Labor officials suggest speed and preparedness are key in the byelection.
Barrister Miguel Belmar has announced he will stand for preselection, although doubts have been raised about his lack of profile in the party.
Many members suggest upper house MP Martin Pakula as a likely successor to Tim Holding, who officially stepped down on February 18.
The safe Labor seat, with a 13.9 per cent margin, is unlikely to be contested by the Liberal Party, and may also not be seriously challenged by the Greens.
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