Western NSW Parliamentary Secretary Rick Colless said with the right candidate to replace Yvette Quinn The Nationals will still have a chance to topple incumbent member for Orange Philip Donato in the upcoming state election.
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The party will once again have to call for nominations after Parkes-based Ms Quinn tendered her resignation to the party on Wednesday.
Mr Colless said history showed with promotion and the right candidate it was possible to bring someone in at short notice and win an election.
As long as that someone is already well known.
I was surprised but it wasn’t totally unexpected, she was finding it difficult to cut through with some people.
- Western NSW Parliamentary Secretary Rick Colless
“It just depends on who the candidate is and their profile,” Mr Colless said.
“Obviously we will be looking for someone who has a profile already in the electorate and someone we can market.”
Mr Colless said he would meet with representatives from the electoral council on Thursday afternoon to discuss how to move forward.
“We will go back and call for nominations again,” he said.
In a statement, the party said Ms Quinn’s resignation was “due to personal circumstances” and had “been reluctantly accepted by the party”.
A SHORT-LIVED TILT AT THE SEAT …
Yvette Quinn’s timeline as The Nationals’ Orange candidate:
- JUNE: Quinn is in to take on Donato in Nationals' 2019 state election run
- JUNE: 'They're just online trolls': Quinn keeps her eye on the prize
- JUNE: Quinn speaks out on mental health and education
- JULY: Nationals candidate to meet with Health Minister over care
- SEPTEMBER: Nationals candidate Yvette Quinn defends her pixie costume | Photos
- SEPTEMBER: 'A long way behind', but Nats still back Quinn as their candidate
“The party is currently providing support to Ms Quinn and looks forward to her ongoing participation and contribution to The Nationals,” the statement read.
The 21-year-old was preselected by local National Party members in June, but as recently as two weeks ago was forced to fend off speculation she no longer had the support of her party.
“I was surprised but it wasn’t totally unexpected, she was finding it difficult to cut through with some people,” Mr Colless said.
“She certainly was giving her best.”
Mr Donato said he wanted to wish Ms Quinn the best for the future.
“I hope she’s OK, I tried to leave a message on her phone,” Mr Donato said.
“I do hope she wasn’t pressured or bullied to relinquish her position, she was fairly and squarely democratically elected.”
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