“OVER the past 40 years the share of votes going to independents and minor parties has risen in both state and federal elections,” the Australia Institute stated in a research article in October 2024. “In the 1980 federal election, the combined primary votes for minor parties and independents accounted for only eight percent.” At the […]
Countback process dates given
THE countback process to fill the Councillor vacancy on MidCoast Council is now underway by the NSW Electoral Commission. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Dheera Smith, who stepped down due to health reasons last month. Instead of holding a by-election (estimated at around $700,000), a countback process will be undertaken, as agreed […]
NSW Gov funds $10m for weed control and eradication
THE NSW Government will deliver $10 million to local councils to target high-risk weeds across the state to protect the state’s primary production and public land. The NSW Government Weeds Action Program funds local councils, known as Local Control Authorities (LCA), to detect and respond quickly to incursions of new high-risk weeds. The program focuses […]
Alison Penfold succeeds Dr David Gillespie as Lyne MP
THE National Party’s Alison Penfold will be the next Federal Member for Lyne, succeeding the long-serving Dr David Gillespie. As of Monday morning, Ms Penfold held 60.55 percent of the Two candidate preferred count over Labor’s Digby Wilson (39.45 percent) after Saturday’s federal election. “I am very grateful for the support from so many individuals […]
Liberals call for more trainee tradies during Port Stephens site visit
A HOME under construction in Anna Bay was host to visiting politicians on Wednesday, 15 January. Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Sussan Ley was joined by NSW Senator Maria Kovacic and the Liberal candidate for Paterson, Laurence Antcliff. It was an opportunity for Mr Antcliff, who has worked in the building industry, to […]