We are now on the downward slope to the NSW state election, and if recent events are any guide, then tensions are rising between the candidates and their supporters.
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The ABC political commentator Antony Green says seats like Dubbo are in the balance and if the bookies are to be believed we may see a change in government after March 23.
He says the election battle will be decided in seats like Dubbo. In the past, nearly every electorate was a battle of Labor versus the Coalition now savvy independents, and cranky minor parties are inspiring people to vote for them.
This is where things get a bit testy.
A letter sent out by the National Party this week has resulted in some interesting observations from the opposing candidates.
Usually sending a letter out to ask for donations a few weeks out from election day is no big deal.
But the letter sent out this week was full of wording that was “forthright and direct due to the unique challenges faced by the Nationals candidate,” according to Dugald Saunders’ campaign director Peter Bartley.
The letter said the National Party candidate is in a "David and Goliath battle” and needs support against “a ragtag collection of miscreants”.
Mr Bartley says third-party lobby group Anyone But Nats are behaving badly and being wrong and untruthful in their public statements.
Independent Candidate for Dubbo Mathew Dickerson said he was “disappointed that the National Party does not understand the community has moved past attack politics.”
Opposing candidates say the letter is proof positive that the National Party are a tad worried about the result of the upcoming election.
They point to poor behaviour at public forums and of course to the now infamous “you’ll only get a new sports stadium in Orange if you vote for the Nationals” statement from Premier Berejiklian.
Pork-barrelling is expected in all election campaigns, but this was tantamount to "blackmail" according to Shooters, Labor, Greens and Independent candidates across the state.
All opposing candidates drew a similar parallel to the recent promise to build a car park at the Dubbo hospital.
Lawrence says the Nats are “getting a bit desperate”, only they would know. What is certain is that as March 23 approaches the soap opera of politics is bound to get bitchier.
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
