Ex-Rudd government minister Melissa Parke has stepped down as a candidate for the Perth seat of Curtin on Friday night, following backlash she received over comments about Israel.
The star Labor candidate, who was standing for the seat of former foreign minister Julie Bishop, was heavily criticised by Jewish groups after reportedly likening Israel's treatment of Palestinians to apartheid.
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The West Australian says Ms Parke quit hours after questions were submitted to Labor’s campaign headquarters about her statement by the Herald Sun newspaper.
Ms Parke, a former UN lawyer who worked with Palestinians in Gaza, said she did not want her views to be a distraction.
"I've had 20 years' experience in international relations and law including living and working in the Middle East," she said in a statement.
"My views are well-known... But I don't want them to be a running distraction from electing a Labor government which will take urgent and strong action on climate change."
Western Australian seats to watch in the May election include the blue-ribbon electorate of Curtin, which an independent is vying for, while Labor seeks to steal Stirling.
Curtin
Popular former deputy Liberal leader and foreign minister Julie Bishop quit after two decades in politics following her snubbing in last year's leadership spill.
Former Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop during Question Time last year.
AAP
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