Gippsland by-election, 2008

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 This article contains information about a forthcoming election.
Content may change dramatically as the election approaches.

A by-election will be held in Gippsland on 28 June 2008. [1] This was triggered by the resignation of National Party MP Peter McGauran. [2]

The writ for the by-election was issued on 19 May 2008. Nominations closed at 12 noon on 5 June 2008. The declaration of nominations, including the ballot order, was revealed the following day, 6 June 2008. [3]

The by-election will be contested on the same boundaries drawn for Gippsland at the 2007 federal election. At that election, the National Party won the seat over the Labor Party by a two-party preferred margin of 55.9% to 44.1%. [4]

Contents

[edit] Background

At the 2007 federal election, the opposition Labor Party defeated the incumbent Liberal-National coalition government. This marked the first change of government in over 11 years. This meant a transition from the government frontbench to the opposition backbench for several Liberal Party and National Party politicians. It has been speculated that a number of former ministers will resign their seats early, rather than serve out their term. [5]

On 4 April 2008, McGauran became the first former Howard government minister returned at the 2007 election to announce his resignation. McGauran first won the seat of Gippsland at the 1983 federal election. He retained the seat at every subsequent election.

McGauran has reportedly lined up a job in the racing industry with Thoroughbred Breeders Australia. [6]

[edit] Candidates

Five candidates are contesting the by-election. They are listed below in ballot order. [7]

[edit] Greens

Malcolm McKelvie is the Greens candidate. McKelvie is a doctor from Yarragon. [8]

[edit] Liberals

Rohan Fitzgerald is the Liberal Party candidate. Fitzgerald is a senior manager with the Central Gippsland Health Service. [9] He is based in Traralgon.

[edit] Liberty and Democracy

Ben Buckley is the Liberty and Democracy Party candidate. Buckley is a pilot and a councillor of East Gippsland Shire Council. [10][11] Buckley has contested Gippsland twice before: as an Independent in 2007, [4] and as a One Nation candidate in 2004. [12] He is based in Benambra.

[edit] Labor

Darren McCubbin is the Labor Party candidate. McCubbin was the Mayor of Wellington Shire at the time of nomination but has since resigned in order to focus on the campaign.[13] He won preselection over Latrobe City Deputy Mayor David Wilson. [14] He is based in Sale.

[edit] Nationals

Darren Chester is the National Party candidate. Chester is chief of staff to Nationals leader in Victoria Peter Ryan. He won preselection over retired army officer Russell Smith. [15] He is based in Lakes Entrance.

[edit] A joint Coalition candidate?

Following McGauran's retirement announcement, Craig Ingram, independent Victorian MLA for the seat of Gippsland East, told reporters that he was considering a run in the by-election as an independent. [16] Subsequently, an offer was made to Ingram by Liberal Senator Bill Heffernan that he run with the joint endorsement of the Liberal and National parties. Heffernan saw this as the first step in a potential merger between the two parties. However, the idea was rejected by both party organisations; and it is doubtful as to whether Heffernan had the authority to make such an offer. [17] Ingram soon after announced that he would not be running in any capacity. [18]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Gippsland by-election due on June 28", AAP, 5 May 2008. 
  2. ^ "McGauran resigns, 'makes way for new blood'", ABC, 4 April 2008. 
  3. ^ "Date set for Gippsland by-election", AEC, 5 May 2008. 
  4. ^ a b 2004 federal election results - Gippsland
  5. ^ Tony Wright. "Byelections galore", The Age, 8 December 2007. 
  6. ^ Mark Davis. "Decide now, Nelson tells MPs pondering future", Sydney Morning Herald, 2 April 2008. 
  7. ^ Gippsland candidates
  8. ^ "Candidate for Greens", Latrobe Valley Express, 5 May 2008. 
  9. ^ "Liberals select Gippsland candidate", AAP, 15 April 2008. 
  10. ^ Cr Ben Buckley
  11. ^ "Gippsland by-election officially called", ABC, 20 May 2008. 
  12. ^ 2004 federal election - Gippsland
  13. ^ [1]
  14. ^ "Labor to run Mayor in Gippsland", ABC, 18 April 2008. 
  15. ^ "Nationals select candidate for Gippsland", Sunday Herald Sun, 13 April 2008. 
  16. ^ Misha Schubert. "Ingram eyes federal seat", The Age, 5 April 2008. 
  17. ^ "Libs, Nationals reject joint ticket proposal for Gippsland", ABC, 8 April 2007. 
  18. ^ Kate Lancaster. "Candidates jostle for by-election", Latrobe Valley Express, 10 April 2008. 
v • d • e
By-elections of the 42nd Australian parliament (2007-)
2008
Gippsland