PRE-SELECTION candidate Colin Brooks believes Sports Minister Justin Madden is no shoo-in for the safe ALP seat of Bundoora.

Mr Madden last week nominated for ALP pre-selection in the Lower House seat with the backing of Premier Steve Bracks, but he faces a stiff challenge from Mr Brooks, outgoing Bundoora MP Sherryl Garbutt’s electorate manager.

“There’s a strong desire among branch members to have a good local candidate,” Mr Brooks told Star.

“Since all of the nominations have closed, I think locally my support has increased even further. So I’ll be running right through to the end of the pre-selection process, and I’ll be running hard.”

The former Banyule mayor admitted he was surprised by Mr Madden’s nomination.

“It certainly makes it difficult for me to win pre-selection, but not impossible,” Mr Brooks said.

Pre-selection for the northern suburbs’ seat will come down to the votes of branch members and Labor’s state panel.

The winner in the November election is almost certain of a seat in the State Parliament.

While Mr Madden is reported to have the support of the ALP state panel, the result of the membership vote is less clear but is believed to favour Mr Brooks.

He is a member of the Premier’s Right faction and has no intention of stepping aside for the minister in charge of the Commonwealth Games, despite a call by Mr Bracks for his ministers to be protected in pre-selections.

Mr Brooks stood down in the 2001 pre-selection for Yan Yean MP Danielle Green.

“In the last round of pre-selections, I was in a strong position for the state seat of Yan Yean. I stood aside in the interest of party unity, and I’m happy to have done that,” he said.

“Obviously this time I’m saying I think I have the credentials to do the job and I’ll be fighting it to the end.”

Mr Madden is looking to Bundoora because his seat of Doutta Galla, in the north west of Melbourne, will become in an Upper House restructure, part of the Western Region Province.

“This opportunity arose following the decision made by Sherryl Garbutt, and I am excited about the prospect of moving to the Lower House,” Mr Madden told Star.

“I look forward to getting to know the branch members and constituents, and the expectations they have of their local member.”

The Sports Minister is also up against local ALP member Jim Tangas, but is confident of winning pre-selection.

“We are all subject to the full pre-selection process,” Mr Madden said.

“I am sure the local process will be contested in good spirit.”