Veteran Labor MP Chris Hayes to leave safe seat, backs local lawyer to take his place

A young local lawyer with Vietnamese heritage could make history if an outgoing MP gets his way in having Tu Le succeed him in a safe Labor seat. Key points: Chris Hayes is currently on a 14 per cent margin in the western Sydney seat of Fowler He suffered a health scare last year and has announced he will step down before the next election, due later this year or next Tu Le, a local lawyer, is the person he'd like to see replace him, but she must win pre-selection among local party members After 16 years in federal parliament, Labor's Chris Hayes has announced he won't recontest the western Sydney electorate of Fowler at the next election, citing health issues. If he's successful in his push to have Ms Le installed as his replacement, it would not only make Labor's ranks more diverse but would see a woman pre-selected to a safe right-wing faction seat. "It's a great honour to be able to not only represent the Vietnamese community, but also the broader diaspora communities across Fowler and across Australia."