The NSW Liberal Party’s failure to meet electoral deadlines has crossed out its candidates in the Wollongong and Shoalhaven council areas. Graphic: Tyson Bennett/Region.
It was a simple statement but Mark Speakman nailed it: “The failure to lodge many local government nominations is a debacle.”
Mr Speakman was, of course, referring to the gobsmacking revelation that somehow, someone in the Liberal Party had neglected to push a button to nominate some of its candidates in the upcoming local council elections before the deadline at midday last Wednesday (14 August).
The NSW Liberal leader and Opposition Leader went on to say “it is probably the worst act of mismanagement that I can think of in the organisation’s history”.
Yep, he’s probably right.
It doesn’t matter which dictionary you prefer, the definition of debacle is the same – a complete collapse or failure. The Cambridge Dictionary takes it even further – “especially because of bad planning and organisation”.
In the Wollongong and Shoalhaven council areas, there will be no Liberal Party candidates appearing on the ballot papers.
The NSW Liberal Party has failed its grassroots members and failed its candidates, many of whom are sitting councillors who were seeking another term.
It’s not like the deadline day was sprung on them – the NSW Electoral Commission has included key dates on its website for months.
It’s like leaving shopping for Christmas to the last minute when you know that Christmas Day falls on 25 December – every year.
Regardless of your political affiliation, you can’t help but feel sorry for the Liberal candidates who by all accounts had done everything required of them to run for office.
John Dorahy has served as a Wollongong Liberal councillor for more than 10 years and was intending to run for the top job as Lord Mayor in the September election. His party colleagues Cameron Walters and Elisha Aitken were both elected at the last election in 2021 and planned to stand again.
But this massive, unbelievable blunder has denied them their chance.
An emotional John Dorahy told media he was gutted and disillusioned after hearing of the error.
It was likely to be his last tilt at politics, although we’re yet to hear of his future intentions.
Cameron Walters was blunt in his reaction: “This catastrophic failure is entirely unacceptable, especially given that all paperwork was completed and handed over to the secretariat at their request. The situation was further exacerbated when local Liberals attempted to assist with lodging the paperwork early that morning, yet no calls or messages to the secretariat were returned.
“The NSW Liberal Party has not only let its members down but has also failed the community in ensuring fair representation for our loyal Liberal Party supporters.”
Running for public office is not for everyone. It’s time-consuming, demanding and sometimes downright brutal, especially in these days of social media where everyone is an expert.
There’s no denying that some who enter politics do it purely for their own political ambitions and to serve their own agendas.
But when it comes to local government, most candidates sincerely want to serve their communities. There’s nowhere to hide when you’re a councillor, whether you’re out for a meal or, like John, enjoying a game of bowls at his local club.
Councils like Wollongong and the Shoalhaven are vastly different to their Sydney counterparts – everyone knows you, everyone knows your business and everyone feels like they have the right to bail you up and demand that something be done about the pothole in their street or the soggy sportsfield their kids can’t access.
If you’re willing and prepared and enter politics with your eyes wide open to its drawbacks, then good luck to you.
As a journalist I’ve covered many councils over the years. I’ve met councillors who were dedicated, genuine and committed, as well as others who managed to get elected on a single platform, usually a contentious local issue and then contributed little in the rest of their term.
There was the mayor whose home was fire-bombed because of his stance on a controversial project and the councillor who ran because he couldn’t get his major, mostly illegal, development approved so figured he’d have a better chance as a councillor – except he had to declare an interest every time it was raised and couldn’t vote on it anyway.
My experience has also convinced me that party politics don’t have a place in local government. A genuine desire to improve the lot of your community gets my vote every time.
Regardless, if you want to represent your community as a member of a political party, you have every right to stand for election.
To lose that right due to the negligence of that party is unforgivable.
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