Sue still smiling after shock decision

IN a shock decision last night, 23 National Party members chose David Layzell to represent the Party in the upcoming by-election over favourite Sue Moore.

Deputy Premier Barilaro said he was not blindsided by the decision and trusted the decision of their members.

“Rarely our members get it wrong, rarely the community gets it wrong,” Mr Barilaro said.

“People win pre-selections on their performance . . . Sue Moore was a fantastic candidate,” he said.

“Sue has indicated that she will campaign with us and campaign with David,” he said.

Although Sue Moore was disappointed with last night’s outcome, she congratulated Mr Layzell and wished him well in “the hard fight ahead of him.”

“The Upper Hunter is a huge area, with many different Local Government Areas, with a variety of issues, some conflicting with each other,” Ms Moore said.

“To have a plan to move forward across those areas, I think will be challenging,” she said.

While Ms Moore did not win the pre-selection, she did have a win for the Singleton bypass interchange.

“Yes, I am disappointed, but I am pleased because on the other hand, I did have a win with Deputy Premier John Barilaro, who as committed to look at the design of our bypass, particularly the interchange, so very pleased with that,” she said.

Cr Moore said she has not thought about re-contesting the Upper Hunter seat at the next election, but will be running for Singleton Mayor again in September.

Sue Moore is now back as Mayor and focusing on the people of Singleton.

“My aspirations are to be the Mayor of Singleton again,” said Cr Moore.

Sue Moore has confirmed all of her attention will be focused on the people of Singleton.

“I have a commitment to be Mayor. I’m officially back in the position of Mayor now. For the people of Singleton I need to give my full attention back to that,” she said.

New South Wales Deputy Opposition Leader Yasmin Catley said Barilaro “has mud on his face” because he could not convince the 23 pre-selectors to select the candidate he wanted.

“Nobody was more surprised by that than John Barilaro himself. It was plainly obvious that John Barilaro does not know that candidate from a bar of soap,” Ms Catley said.

“The first thing he told us about him was that he was a Councillor from Dungog Council and that’s not true and has never been true,” Ms Yasmin Catley said.