The Molong Advancement Group (MAG) wants to fill the community’s hall on November 2 so voters can meet candidates ahead of the Orange byelection.
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“What people are interested in is hearing what they’re going to do for people out here,” MAG vice president Peter Batten said.
“Andrew Gee was a tremendous representative, he stood up for the people in the whole electorate.
“We’re not sure if the Nationals candidate (Scott Barrett) is going to stand up or whether he’s going to be a house filler, voting the way the party machine wants him to vote.
“It’s pretty obvious Troy Grant is a weak leader of the Nationals, he’s just doing what the metropolitan Liberals want him to do.”
Mr Batten said forced mergers, a greyhound racing ban and cuts to TAFE were among major issues people wanted answers for.
He said Scott Barrett was behind the eight-ball thanks to disillusionment around the Nationals.
“It’s not certain they’ll get my vote this time and there’s a lot of people who are in the same position as me. (But) we do want to hear what Scott’s going to say,” Mr Batten said.
Mr Batten said invitations would also be extended to Labor’s Bernard Fitzsimon, the Greens’ Janelle Bicknell, independent Scott Munro and Shooters, Fishers, Farmers Party’s Phil Donato, plus any other candidates who nominate for the byelection.
He said the byelection would measure the mood of people in regional NSW on their views about the Baird/Grant Coalition government
“Since Mike Baird became Premier, it’s the most autocratic government I’ve seen in 40 years as a voter,” Mr Batten said.
Mr Batten said the byelection meant any candidate had to prove themselves in the next two years before the next state election.
“It could be a short term member that gets tossed out in 2019, but maybe we’ll see a marginal seat,” he said.
Molong’s Amalgamation No Thank You (ANTY) group is also planning to grill candidates.
“ANTY wants to meet with all candidates before the election and before a meet the candidates event on November 2,” spokeswoman Marj Bollinger said.
“We’re asking people to think carefully how they vote and how they allocate their preferences.
“This byelection won’t change the government but it can change what the government will do.”
Declan Rurenga
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
Declan Rurenga was the editor of Griffith's Area News and Leeton's Irrigator until September 2023. Before landing at the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, he reported news in Junee, Wagga Wagga, Orange and Cootamundra.
