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Keneally resists call for poll

03 Sep, 2010 05:00 AM
Premier Kristina Keneally has resisted demands to call an early election after the esignation of Member for Heathcote Paul McLeay.r

Revelations the disgraced MP visited porn and gambling sites on his work computer have prompted renewed calls for a fast-tracked poll to allow disenchanted voters to deliver an early verdict on the scandal-plagued Labor government.

But Ms Keneally dismissed the suggestion via a spokeswoman yesterday.

"The Premier has always said she welcomes public debate about fixed terms and recall elections - but will not be calling an early election," she told the Mercury, before stating the NSW Government had "delivered for the people of the Illawarra".

Three Illawarra MPs have resigned from the ministry under controversial circumstances during the current parliamentary term.

Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell, on track for a resounding victory at the polls next March, said the Government's ongoing scandal had destabilised the region's economy.

"The Illawarra Mercury is right when it said 'enough is enough'," Mr O'Farrell said referring to yesterday's front page headline.

"The Illawarra needs stability in order for the local economy to grow and prosper.

"With the constant changes there is little wonder the Illawarra has consistently missed out on its fair share of budget funding."

Opposition Illawarra spokesman Greg Pearce, Goulburn MP Pru Goward and South Coast MP Shelley Hancock are shaping up as likely candidates to take on the role of Minister for the Illawarra should the Coalition win power.

A Liberal Party spokeswoman yesterday confirmed it was finalising preselections in remaining Illawarra seats, but said a timetable to announce the candidates was unlikely before the federal election result was determined.

So far, business consultant Michelle Blicavs has been confirmed to take on Labor's Noreen Hay in Wollongong, while Shoalhaven Deputy Mayor Gareth Ward will challenge Matt Brown in Kiama.

Meantime, independents and minor parties are becoming increasingly well placed to capitalise on widespread disaffection with NSW Labor.

Wollongong Uniting Church Minister Gordon Bradbery, tipped to make a tilt at politics when his tenure ends in December, would not confirm the ongoing rumours yesterday, but hinted: "watch this space".

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At least we won't have to worry about a hung parliament after the NSW vote!
Posted by RU Kiddinme, 3/09/2010 8:10:51 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
Well , we don't need someone from Goulburn as the Minister for the Illawarra, that's ridiculous. We need a local when the Liberals come to power in March. As for Keneally, well, how many times have people offered to do something for you, and when you actually take them up on their word, they have a headache or a relative died or the world is coming to an end. In the case of State Labor, the world is coming to an end, and that will be in March now.
Posted by Alan Bond, 3/09/2010 8:12:23 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
Im not suprised KK won't call an early election....That would be in the best interests of NSW, we can't have that! Good luck to the Liberals we need some change!
Posted by Julie, 3/09/2010 8:35:46 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
Im not suprised KK won't call an early election....That would be in the best interests of NSW, we can't have that! Good luck to the Liberals we need some change!
Posted by Julie, 3/09/2010 8:38:39 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
I wonder which part the totally deluded Ms. Keneally doesn't get? To the rest of the country we just see a bunch of self serving people who just want to stay in office enjoying the salaries and perks until they are turfed out. Does KK seriously think she can turn the situation around before March? If she does believe that then she needs some serious professional help.

The ALP, especially in NSW cannot be rehabilitated, they will no doubt be out of office for a very longtime in NSW, but no one in the ALP has the will, or the ability to do what needs to be done to save it. Very sad to see it all come to this.

Posted by Louella, 3/09/2010 8:49:27 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
NSW........The State of Shame
Posted by grumpyoldfart, 3/09/2010 9:26:00 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
An important lesson in all this is that we must have some means by which we voting people can call for an election when necessary. This must be a reform which results from the next NSW election.
Posted by Bruce of Coledale, 3/09/2010 9:28:04 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
'delivered to the people of the Illawarra' please no more delivering. I just can,t afford any more.
Posted by nf, 3/09/2010 9:29:19 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
Isn't it about time the Illawarra was not a safe labor seat ? We keep voting these idiots back in down here. Well not any more & we need to send a very very strong message back to parliament in the form of the liberal candidate being voted in power down here. The days of labor in the Illawarra are over !!
Posted by Marto, 3/09/2010 9:30:05 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
Labor, Liberal, either way, Wollongong will be the pollution and unemployment capital of Australia. We need to get rid of the steelworks and use the land for growth industry not shrinking industry.......you donkeys mumble on and on about change and the Illawarra needing something other than what it has, yet you somehow think that a Liberal candidate will change things. How! Sure vote Libs if you want but don't try and tell everyone Wollongong will be a great place because of a Liberal member,while the steelworks owns nearly all available industrial land in this area we and your kids and grand kids will live in an impoverished dirty region, full stop. if you cannot accept that fact your other observations are also deemed ill thought out and rather foolish and or naive. NSW labor are terrible. NSW libs are also terrible.
Posted by isaac newton, 3/09/2010 10:07:59 AM, on Illawarra Mercury
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Premier Kristina Keneally will not be calling an early election.
Premier Kristina Keneally will not be calling an early election.
Disgraced former minister for the Illawarra Paul McLeay.
Disgraced former minister for the Illawarra Paul McLeay.
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