Clarence By-election: Nat's preselection candidate Williamson rapidly losing fans

Today's episode in the Nats' pre-selection skirmish in Clarence has been given a bit more heat, thanks to a contributor's letter to the editor of The Daily Examiner.

Be warned

Unsurprisingly, the Valley's serial claim jumper has put his name up for National Party pre-selection for the seat of Clarence.

I was more than a little surprised when I first heard of his move for the following reason.

Shortly before the March election, Mr Williamson phoned me, and the main purpose of his call seemed to be to win me over to his and his supporting team's belief that the next New South Wales government could very well be controlled by a party of independents that included himself. He assured me that he was a dedicated independent who could never be tied to a particular party's dogma. He also divulged that contact had been established with other candidates statewide and that there was growing confidence that they could pull it off. They were never going to, of course.

Anyway, be warned. There's now a cuckoo flying around looking for a spare nest. Let it settle at your peril.

Thomas Macindoe, Yamba

Source: Letters, The Daily Examiner, 3/10/11

'Will he' or 'Won't he' Williamson

It's been a big day for the Nats in Clarence.

Following hot on the heels of news about Stuart George and Chris Gulaptis,  The Daily Examiner reports:

Richie Williamson

Richie Williamson still hasn't confirmed that he will compete in next week's preselection ballot to become the National's local leader, despite news circulating in the party that he had done just that.
Information supplied on Friday morning to the Nationals Duty MLC Rick Colless, who is the stand-in representative for the Clarence electorate, seemed to confirm that Clarence Valley Mayor Richie Williamson had made the decision to run for preselection to represent the Nationals at the up coming by-election.
 But this apparent certainty was quashed by the man himself yesterday afternoon. Mr Williamson was adamant that no such commitment had been made. A decision would not be finalised until he had time to consider "all the pieces of information" over the weekend he said.
Mr Williamson met officials from the Nationals on Thursday to discuss the potential of him joining the party.
As of yesterday he still hadn't joined the Nationals. "I will make a decision on that sooner rather than later," he said.

Read the Examiner's report here.

Nats king maker warns off Williamson in Clarence

Nominations for National Party pre-selection in Clarence close on Monday and if the chairman of the party's Grafton branch has his way Richie Williamson won't be donning National Party colours at the by-election which is expected to be held in November.

Peter James, the branch chairman, told The Daily Examiner that despite rumours that Williamson would run as a Nationals' candidate for pre-selection he hadn't spoken to Williamson about being a potential candidate.

James believes Williamson's strong stance as an independent during this year's state election has hindered his chances for National Party pre-selection.

James said, "I'd like to think The Nationals won't give Richie pre-selection."

James has given the two known nominees, Karen Toms  and Paul O'Connor his blessings.

When asked about his business partner O'Connor's prospects, James said, "I feel he would be a very capable local member. He is a man of many skills and the appropriate level of integrity. I believe if he was elected he would do an excellent job as the local member."

Read the Examiner's report here.

The talk on the streets is that another nomination for pre-selection was lodged today.

Why did Stuart George opt out as Casino's deputy mayor?

Will there be a north-south battle on the cards when Clarence electorate voters head to the polls later this year? Developments at local council mayoral elections today suggest one bloke (Richie Williamson) wants to add his mayoral position to his CV while elsewhere another possible contender (Stuart George) decided to put all his efforts into running for the local seat, rather than having to devote himself to the role of deputy mayor.

While Williamson won the ballot for mayor of Clarence Valley Council by 5 votes to 4 (the runner-up was Ian Tiley), George did not seek re-election as deputy mayor when Richmond Valley Council's leadership positions were contested today.
Read details of the ballots in The Daily Examiner and The Casino Times.

Nationals testing the waters in Clarence

ReachTel conducted a telephone poll this afternoon/evening in the electorate of Clarence.
 
Do you remember the name ReachTel? They're the mob The Port Paper (Port Macquarie) commissioned to conduct a poll in the Federal electorate of Lyne in August and then go to town on the local member, Rob Oakeshott.  
The Port Paper had a distinct smell about it and after completing a join-the-dots exercise it was not unreasonable to arrive at a conclusion that it looked very much like a front for the Nationals. The Port Paper has since folded, although its website euphemistically says it is "currently undergoing redevelopment".

Today's ReachTel polling in the electorate of Clarence was testing the waters in relation to a number of names.

Respondents were asked to provide their assessment of  a number of individuals.
1. Favourable
2. Neutral
3. Unfavourable
4. Unknown

Given that it was all about the by-election to be conducted in Clarence later this year, the list of names included a couple of red herrings.

The names provided (in order) were:

Steve Cansdell

Richie Williamson

Stuart George

Janelle Saffin

Kevin Hogan

Karen Toms

Next question: If a state election was held today, who would you vote for?

Nationals

Labor

Greens

Independent

Christian Democrats

Then, the $64 question: If you were forced to make a choice between the following candidates, who would you vote for?

1. Richie Williamson, Independent

or

2. A candidate from the Nationals

Read more about Stuart George, the son of Thomas George (Nationals MP for Lismore) here.

Stuart George