Talk of the town: Nationals candidate choice

AS we travel the Shire reporting on local stories we get lots of comments from readers on a range of issues, so we thought it was time to introduce “Talk of the town!” We’ll share the comments of people from our towns on a range of issues – what they are talking about down the street, in the pub, around the watercooler, at the school gate, or across the fence to their neighbours.

To start things off, we’ve gone with a popular one from this week:

How do you feel about the National Party choosing David Layzell over Sue Moore?

Ray Hynes, aged 60, from Murrurundi:

“I think it is a mistake. I’ve known of Sue Moore for a long time and things she has been involved in. She is a fairly switched on lady, I think she would have been a good representative. She was the better candidate.”

Patricia Taylor, aged 54, from Moonan:

“I personally think it stinks. In this area Sue Moore would have been their best shot. Even people in Dungog know her. Women need to be empowered, but how are they supposed to get in there and give it a go when the parties keep flopping them? They talk about equality in Parliament and the right people for the job, well how do you pick someone else over a Mayor? How did Barilaro not get his message through to his Party? That gives you some indication of what the party thinks of their leader.”

Sam Barry, aged 16, from Scone:

“The Nationals selection of David Layzell over Sue Moore was well founded. As John Barilaro said in regards to Layzell, he represents one of those regions that understands land conflict and mining but supported mining, supported farming, agriculture and vineyards and equine. He represents the views of the electorate and can bring a much needed younger element who is in touch with more of the voting demographic, all the while being up to date with issues that directly affect them. These are all very great abilities but the lack of experience may come at a cost come election day. Voters may lose confidence in someone who doesn’t have experience in the political realm outside of a failed attempt at local Council and perhaps Moore would have been the better option in this regard. I hate to play into the gripes of identity politics and believe gender should be left out of this conversation entirely, with competence of the individuals leadership acting above all. With this in mind, it is up to everyone to vote in who they believe will do the best for the community, whether that be Nationals hopeful Mr Layzell or any others running.”

Bev Atkinson, aged 70, from Scone:

“Without knowing more of his history and his views, it is hard to give a preference between him and Sue Moore. I find it troublesome that media reaction simply holds that Sue is female, so therefore useful as a flag of equality for the numbers. But surely her strength and track record should recommend her, not her gender.  It is worrying that the numbers game goes for a person who has actually worked with mining, rather than a person who has the governing experience and tolerates mines from a less mine-involved background. Moderation and balance is being ditched in all areas now. Even the NSW Clean Energy Board is supposed to be chaired in obedience to foreign mine interests and Stephen Galilee. With no real rewards from expanding coal mining, Australia blunders on. So sad.”

Michael Dowling, aged 46, from Dungog:

(Editorial note: OK, so while Dungog isn’t in our reporting area, we do have lots of readers from that side of the Range and since they are part of the electorate we wanted to give them a voice too).

“Ultimately the decision rests with the members when it comes to choosing the candidate for the Nationals. Whilst it may be disappointing for many to see that Sue was not chosen, we have to go with what the members have decided. Given David lives in Clarence Town, we can hope that, if he should win, that all areas of the Upper Hunter will have better representation than we have previously had. The notion in the press and on social media, that the Upper Hunter is simply SMS- Scone – Muswellbrook – Singleton, is disappointing for those of us in the Dungog and Gloucester regions. We are all in this together and hopefully, with the impending election, the right candidate is chosen and they will attempt to represent all of our regions with honour.”

Craig Macpherson, aged 59, from Merriwa:

“I don’t really know either of them. As far as I know they’ve had nothing to do with Merriwa. Whoever gets it has got a big job ahead of them.”

If you have something to say on issues in your town, contact us, we always love a good Letter to the Editor: Click here.