Julia Gillard makes rare appearance to back Katy Gallagher as Labor fears David Pocock upset

Julia Gillard, who has remained largely absent from Australian political debate since leaving parliament, has written to ACT residents urging them to back Katy Gallagher. Photograph: SBS

Julia Gillard has contributed a rare campaign endorsement for Katy Gallagher – the shadow finance minister – an intervention underscoring Labor’s concern that the high-profile independent David Pocock could split the progressive vote in Canberra.

The former prime minister has written to the residents of the Australian Capital Territory and recorded a video endorsement for Gallagher, a former chief minister, who holds one of the territory’s two Senate spots.