By Jean Kennedy <\/p>\n
Posted March 05, 2017 16:52:49 <\/p>\n
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has defended the Liberal Party's pre-selection process, despite conceding a head start to political rivals in two looming by-elections. <\/p>\n
The seats of North Shore and Manly will up for grabs on April 8. <\/p>\n
Both of the Sydney electorates had been held by high-profile Liberal candidates on safe margins: former health minister Jillian Skinner won North Shore in 1994 and former premier Mike Baird had represented Manly since 2007. <\/p>\n
However, the seats also have long histories of being held by independents and the duo's retirement from politics has cracked the contests open. <\/p>\n
Today, the Greens unveiled Clara Williams-Roldan, 25, as their candidate for Manly while Mosman Councillor Carolyn Corrigan, who is standing as an independent, is also on the campaign trail. <\/p>\n
The Liberal Party will announce its candidate for Manly on March 13 and North Shore on March 15. <\/p>\n
The ABC understands both contests have been plagued by powerplays and disputes within the Liberal Party. <\/p>\n
The delays have not been helped by the NSW Liberal Party's complicated pre-selection process, in which a special panel picks candidates. <\/p>\n
But Ms Berejiklian said she respected local party members' rights to choose their candidates. <\/p>\n
\"I think local residents in this community, and all communities, know our track record as a Government, they know my track record, and I'm looking forward to welcoming the candidates next week,\" she said. <\/p>\n
There will also be a by-election in the central coast electorate of Gosford on April 8. <\/p>\n
The ABC has confirmed Labor will not stand candidates in the Manly and North Shore by-elections. <\/p>\n
Liesl Tesch, the Labor candidate for Gosford, was not picked by rank-and-file pre-selection. <\/p>\n
Speaking in Manly, federal Greens leader Richard Di Natale was keen to challenge the Premier in one of her key policy areas housing affordability. <\/p>\n
\"Young people are being screwed over,\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"Here's an opportunity to elect somebody to represent young people across this state and to ensure they have a voice in the state parliament.\" <\/p>\n
Topics: government-and-politics, political-parties, liberals, state-parliament, parliament, electoral-system, elections, greens, sydney-2000, manly-2095, gosford-2250, nsw <\/p>\n
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NSW by-elections: Liberal Party pre-selection delays mean head start for other candidates - ABC Online<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Jean Kennedy Posted March 05, 2017 16:52:49 NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has defended the Liberal Party's pre-selection process, despite conceding a head start to political rivals in two looming by-elections. The seats of North Shore and Manly will up for grabs on April 8. Both of the Sydney electorates had been held by high-profile Liberal candidates on safe margins: former health minister Jillian Skinner won North Shore in 1994 and former premier Mike Baird had represented Manly since 2007. Continue reading