Port Macquarie by-election, 2008

A by-election will be held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Port Macquarie on 18 October 2008. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/14/2335207.htm Date set for Port Macquarie by-election: ABC News 14/8/2008] ] This was triggered by the resignation of state Nationals turned independent MP Rob Oakeshott who successfully gained election in the Lyne by-election. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/06/2325482.htm By-elections pressure Coalition's unity: ABC News 6/8/2008] ]

The writ for the by-election was issued on August 29, which is also when the rolls closed. Candidate nominations closed September 18. The by-election will be contested on the same boundaries drawn for Port Macquarie at the 2007 state election. At that election, the independent MP won the seat over the Nationals by a two-party preferred margin of 78.2% to 21.8%.

Background

Created in a 1988 redistribution, Port Macquarie has always been based on Port Macquarie and Laurieton. It was a safe National Party seat prior to the election of Oakeshott, who was MP for Port Macquarie since 1996, becoming an independent in 2002.

Candidates

The following candidates have nominated: [ [http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/state_government_elections/current_elections/port_macquarie_by-election_18_october_2008/port_macquarie_state_by-election_candidates] ]
*"Independent" - James Langley, contested federal Lyne for Labor in 2007. Quit the party over protest at the Iemma state Labor electricity privatisation. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/12/2332131.htm Langley to contest Port Macquarie as independent: ABC News 12/8/2008] ]
*"Christian Democratic Party" - Bob Waldron
*"Independent" - Lisa Intemann
*"Australian Greens" - Susie Russell
*"National Party of Australia" - Leslie Williams, Lake Cathie resident, contested Port Macquarie for the Nationals in 2007. Ms Williams is a nurse at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and current chairman of the party's Port Macquarie Electorate Council. [ [http://taree.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/a-nationals-hopeful-for-port-macquarie-byelection/1238838.aspx A Nationals' hopeful for Port Macquarie by-election 8/8/08] ]
*"Independent" - Tony Galati
*"Independent" - Grant Rogers
*"Independent" - Bob Sharpham
*"Independent" - Peter Besseling
*"Independent" - Jamie Harrison
*"Independent" - Cameron Price

References

External links

* [http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/state_government_elections/port_macquarie_by-election_18_october_2008 NSW electoral commission - Port Macquarie State By-Election 2008]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2007/guide/pmac.htm Port Macquarie profile: ABC Antony Green]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2007/results/pmac.htm Port Macquarie 2007 results: ABC Antony Green]
* [http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2008/byelections/portmacquarie.htm ABC District Profile & Election Coverage]