WOLLONGONG — Illawarra Greens candidate Michael Organ won an historic 15% of the vote in the Wollongong lord mayoral by-election on September 14. The humiliating defeat inflicted on ALP candidate Bob Proudfoot, who won just 34% of the vote, reflects the party's declining support in the Illawarra.

Independent Alex Darling was elected lord mayor, after capturing nearly 40% of the vote. The ALP had held the position for the past decade.

There is growing disillusionment with the ALP, currently wracked with internal bickering and factional wars. Many are disgusted that ALP politicians' resignations have cost taxpayers two expensive by-elections in a matter of months, the lord mayoral and the federal seat of Cunningham vacated by Stephen Martin.

Retiring Labor MP Ian McManus has attacked the ALP for its approach during the lord mayoral elections. McManus accused the ALP of branch-stacking, and was quoted in the September 16 Illawarra Mercury as saying: “[The ALP] wanted the voters to vent their spleens against Labor in the lord mayoral by-election so by the time of the state election in March they'd be over it, and [Keira MP] David Campbell wouldn't be under threat.”

Organ has been active in the community, strongly supporting local campaigns such as the fight against Stocklands' development of Sandon Point.

From Green Left Weekly, September 25, 2002.
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