The De Piero Interview

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The interview takes place as news breaks that Geoff Hoon had been caught on camera saying he wants to turn political contacts into something that makes money.

In some ways the current Ashfield MP's legacy is the trickiest question for her; she needs to differentiate herself from her disgraced predecessor, while at the same time not drawing attention to him.

Hoon's name is like a fingernail down a blackboard to Labour ears these days. So does she think he was a good MP? The sidestep this time is not so neat.

"I can't comment on Geoff Hoon. I don't know in particular whether he was a good MP because I wasn't living in Ashfield at the time," she says.

"He had a successful Cabinet career and I respect him for that. But this seat needs someone who will be here, it needs someone who will listen to people here."