TWO councillors jostling to become the Australian Labor Party’s candidate for Calare at this year’s federal election won’t say if a decision by its 2007 candidate not to stand again is a sign the party doesn’t believe it can win the seat.
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Cabonne Council mayor Kevin Duffy and Orange councillor Jeff Whitton have nominated to seek pre-selection to become the ALP’s candidate for the newly redrawn seat of Calare.
The party’s 2007 candidate, barrister Michael Allen, has since become a magistrate and has confirmed he will not contest the 2010 poll.
A dramatic reshaping of the electorate has slashed incumbent Nationals member John Cobb’s margin from 12.1 per cent to just 3.4 per cent.
Even with the inclusion of Labor strongholds like Bathurst and Lithgow in the electorate, national polls suggest Mr Cobb would easily retain the seat if the election was held today.
Cr Duffy yesterday said he would withdraw his nomination if Mr Allen changed his mind.
He said he thought the Rudd government would be returned despite polls showing the Coalition in an election-winning position.
“The current government is perceived to be struggling but the campaign hasn’t begun yet,” he said.
“I think the government is going to be returned so why would the people of Calare not want to have their local member as a member of the government?
“Yes (winning the seat) will be like moving a rock, but nothing is for certain these days and anything can happen.”
Cr Whitton declined to comment until his nomination was officially endorsed.
“But for me, the next step is to convince fellow party members I am the best candidate for Calare,” he said.
The Greens are yet to select a candidate for Calare.
bevan.shields@ruralpress.com
