Gippsland by-election #2

April 18, 2008, 7:50pm,  267 views

The Labor Party has selected Wellington Shire Mayor Darren McCubbin as its candidate for the by-election in the federal seat of Gippsland.

According to ABC Radio, branches in the Latrobe Valley are disappointed their preferred choice, Latrobe council deputy mayor David Wilson was overlooked.

Meanwhile, the Herald Sun has revealed internal Labor Party polling which shows the Nationals to be comfortably ahead on the two-party preferred vote.

It’s unusual for the Nats to perform well in opinion polls, so that’s a good sign for Darren Chester if true.

If Chester pulls it off the result will be a victory for state leader Peter Ryan.

According to Andrew Landeryou, Ryan regarded the McGaurans as a blight, especially Julian who he “suspected of having a fondness for pink frilly undergarments”.

Landeryou also says Liberal Party heavyweight in Gippsland, Phil Davis, is promising a strong campaign.

I know Davis has an acidic dislike of the Nationals, so I believe the statement to be true. Whether head office plans to throw much money at it is another matter. They’re more likely to be focused on retaining Higgins.

It’s going to be a colorful campaign though and will act as a strong counterweight to the argument in Queensland the Libs and Nats should merge.