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Upper Hunter byelection: Labor concedes to National party in crucial NSW vote Australian Associated Press
Labor has conceded to the Nationals in the NSW Upper Hunter byelection.
“Earlier this morning, I phoned David Layzell to congratulate him on his election as the next member for Upper Hunter,” ALP candidate Jeff Drayton said in statement.
“Obviously, David and I don’t agree on many things but we both have the best interests of the Upper Hunter at heart. I wish David and his family all the best as he starts this new role.”
The Nationals were on track to hold the seat for the NSW coalition, defying expectations of a swing against the government in the crucial byelection.
Gladys Berejiklian says she s not happy after Malcolm Turnbull backed an anti-coal greenie dailymail.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymail.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Residents are increasingly angry that services have deteriorated, the new tree policy is environmentally destructive and council assets are being slated for sale or pepper-corn rentals to private corporations.
On top of all this, the “rate harmonisation” plan is about to kick in. Residents in the former council area of Marrickville will be forced to pay a substantial amount more. This, the government says will be “fairer”.
The Local Government Amendment Bill 2021 is set to go to the Legislative Council this session. Its main objective is to make the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) recommendations on new rates lawful. IPART decided last September to set the rate peg for all NSW councils 2021-2022 at 2%, down from 2.6% the previous year.
NSW Coalition May Lose House Majority in Up Coming By-election
The New South Wales Coalition is expecting a loss in the upcoming by-election following Upper Hunter National MP Michael Johnsen’s resignation.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that the Liberal-National Coalition would need a “miracle” to win the seat previously filled by Johnsen.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro called for Johnsen’s immediate resignation and suspension from the National Party after it was revealed the ex-Member sent lewd texts during Question Time and offered a sex worker $1,000 for services inside state Parliament.
Johnsen is currently being investigated by the NSW Police Sex Crimes Squad for an alleged assault in September 2019 against the same sex worker he called in the state Paliament.