Former AMA chief Brian Owler is to contest the Sydney seat of Bennelong at next year’s general election

Former AMA chief Brian Owler will contest the Sydney seat of Bennelong at next year’s general election.

John Alexander, the former tennis star, currently holds the seat, in Sydney’s inner north-west, by five percent.

It was formerly held by John Howard, who lost it to Labor’s former journalist Maxine McKew, in 2007.

Mr Alexander defeated star candidate, Kristina Keneally, at the by-election late last year, after being forced to resign over his dual citizenship.

Pre-selected candidate, Lyndal Howison, has stepped down, allowing Professor Owler to be endorsed uncontested.

“This is a decision I’ve obviously thought long and hard about,” he said.

“But it was a decision I came to because this is a time I believe that people need to step forward, if we are going to see a Labor government elected.”

As AMA president, Mr Owler fought hard to retain health and Medicare funding.

Announcing Mr Owler’s nomination, Labor leader, Bill Shorten, declared: “Mr Medicare is coming to Canberra”.

“He, like Labor, believes that it should be your Medicare card, not your credit card, that determines whether or not you get quality health care in this country,’ Mr Shorten said.

If elected, Mr Owler, could be the second former AMA boss in the House of reps, beside the recently elected member for Wentworth, Kerryn Phelps.

Mr Alexander committed to standing again and would run on his eight-year record.

And as Labor clearly gears up to again campaign on Medicare and health funding, Mr Alexander said another “medi-scare” attack would be exposed as “untruths” and be fail.

There has been recent speculation Mr Alexander might not recontest, but he said he was more enthusiastic than ever, to seek another term.

HISTORY OF BENNELONG ELECTORATE

Covers 60sq/km on Sydney's lower north shore.

1974-2007: Seat of former prime minister John Howard.

2007-2010: McKew lasted only one term after being challenged by Liberal candidate and former tennis professional John Alexander. He won the seat after swing of 4.5%.

2010-2018: Alexander was forced to step down in 2017 after getting caught up in parliament's dual-citizenship crisis. He renounced his British citizenship to run against against star Labor candidate and former NSW Premier Kristina Keneally in a by-election. He held on despite a swing of more than five per cent to Labor.

WHO IS BRIAN OWLER?

Labor's high-profile candidate.

Neurosurgeon working at Westmead Children's Hospital, Westmead Private, Sydney Adventist Hospital at Wahroonga and Norwest Private Hospital.

The associate professor was president of the Australian Medical Association from 2014 to 2016 and previously president of the AMA in NSW.

He has been an advocate for pool and road safety, having worked on NSW's "Don't Rush" advertising campaign targeted at reducing speed-related road accidents.

WHO IS JOHN ALEXANDER?

Incumbent Liberal MP.

A tennis champion whose career spanned the 1960s to the 1980s. He claimed seven singles titles and 27 doubles titles.

Headed Tennis Australia's player development and was coach of the Federation Cup team.

 Has an interest in housing affordability, being among Liberal MPs to have urged the government to rethink its opposition to changes to negative gearing.