Shadow Minister for the Central Coast and Member for the NSW electorate of Wyong, Mr David Harris, said the swing to Labor and against the Liberal Party in the Central Coast Council election would wipe out the Berejiklian and Turnbull Governments if repeated at State or Federal level.
“On Saturday voters on the Central Coast had the chance to vote for the first new Central Coast Council,” Mr Harris said. “The voters have spoken, and while in some areas the picture still isn’t completely clear, what is clear, is that there has been at least a 7 per cent swing against the Liberal Party, matched by a similar swing towards the Labor Party,” he said. “Such a swing, if uniformly repeated at a State or Federal election, would see the State Berejiklian and Federal Turnbull Governments wiped out. “The Liberal party failed to make a full quota off primary votes in the Budgewoi and Wyong Wards, and will rely on preferences and exhausted votes to elect Councillors in these wards.
“The Northern part of the Central Coast delivered the strongest vote to Labor, with voters in the Wyong and Budgewoi wards sending a strong message that the secrecy surrounding projects such as the Chinese Theme Park and Warnervale Airport will not be tolerated any longer. “The old regime from Wyong Council was also toppled, with controversial former Mayor, Doug Eaton, looking very unlikely to win, along with his supporters in the Save Tuggerah Lakes Party, who failed to win a single spot.” Mr Harris said he congratulated the new Councillors on their victories and warned the State and Federal Liberal Governments that they will face a similar backlash if they don’t start giving the Coast its fair share. “I congratulate the Central Coast Local Labor team for their campaign, that focused on local issues, and I look forward to working with them in delivering better outcomes for ratepayers,” he said. “The new Council must focus on a fair go for community and sporting groups, infrastructure that will create real jobs, and a focus on promoting the Central Coast,” he said.
Source: Media release, Sep 11 Zachary Harrison, office of David Harris