The resignation of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has understandably triggered changes at the highest levels of the NSW government. This includes Deputy Premier John Barilaro announcing his decision to resign as Minister, Nationals Leader and Member for Monaro.
I’ve removed my blog post for the Monaro by-election as it has now been published on the ABC elections page. I’ve left this post here as a stub rather than break links on Google searches.
Antony, is it customary in NSW for the Liberals to nominate a candidate in a NP-held seat, when the seat is vacant (and, in country electorates – vice versa)?
COMMENT: There has not been a three-way contest in a NSW state seat since 1999. Three-way contests and exhausted preferences under optional preferential voting cost the Coalition a seat in 1999 and significantly narrowed their winning margin in other seat. The two parties now carve up which seats each contests and avoid three-cornered contests.
What are your thoughts on the two by-elections being called for the same day as they are neighbouring seats?
Given that both members resignations have yet to be formalised there is no risk of the electors in either seat not having a voice in the NSW Parliament (unlike a vacancy due to a death for example) if they were to delay.
COMMENT: There is a chance all the by-elections will be held on the same day. They would need them done before the end of the year given a Federal election is due in the new year. NSW local government elections are due on 4 December. It is unusual for by-elections to be held on the same day but there is nothing preventing.
I’ve done a piece for ABC news on timing and other issues.