Local Nationals open pre-selection for Page

Grassroots Nationals members from Grafton to Lismore met in Casino on Sunday and voted to open pre-selection for the Federal electorate of Page.

The goal is to have a candidate up and running before Christmas, according to Page Nationals Chairman, Dr Simon Kinny.

“This was a regular Nationals meeting and the decision to start the pre-selection process was made on the basis that the Prime Minister could call an election as early as March next year,” Dr Kinny said.

“A number of members have expressed an interest in running and we are confident grassroots members will pick a great local champion to take on and beat Labor in this marginal electorate.”

Attending the meeting, local State Nationals MPs Steve Cansdell and Thomas George offered their full support.

Also backing the initiative was North Coast Nationals Senator Fiona Nash, who attended the Richmond Nationals meeting on Saturday.

“Both seats are winnable because local people are sick of Labor MPs who won’t stand up for the North Coast in Canberra,” Senator Nash said.

“Labor’s Janelle Saffin promised Kevin Rudd would fix our hospitals by mid-2009, but has said little since that promise was broken.

“Labor’s Justine Elliot earlier promised $150 million to bring back local trains, but now she stands by while her NSW colleagues prepare to sell-off the rail corridor.”

Tweed Nationals Chairman Murray Lees, who ran the Nationals’ 2007 Page campaign, said he wasn’t overly concerned about the prospect of the Liberal Party also running in both seats.

“That’s a matter for them, but local residents know the Nationals are the only party exclusively dedicated to the interests of regional Australia,” he said.

“A more effective way for the Liberals to make Malcolm Turnbull Prime Minister would be for them to focus on the numerous seats they need to win in the cities.”

PICTURE: Lismore Nationals MP Thomas George, Page Nationals secretary Kevin Hogan, Page Nationals chairman Simon Kinny and Clarence Nationals MP Steve Cansdell at the meeting on Sunday at the Anglican Church Hall in Casino.

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