New party to contest NSW election

New party to contest NSW election

By Dave Wright

SYDNEY — More than 150 people attended the first meeting of the newly formed No Aircraft Noise (NAN) Party on January 10. The party was formed to mobilise the anti-third-runway vote at the upcoming state election.

A Herald Saulwick poll at the end of last year had Labor leading the Liberal government by 50.5% to 49.5% on a two-party basis. If the three independents hold their seats, this could result in a hung parliament.

Campaigns in key marginal seats and preferences from minor parties could decide the result on March 25. The ALP may feel a backlash on the third runway issue in traditionally safe Labor seats in and around Kingsford Smith Airport.

As yet the group has not decided which electorates it will contest. The party is looking at running "high profile" candidates such as ex-mayors, local alderpeople or "known" community activists.

Already some no-third-runway candidates are standing, such as independent Dennis Doherty in Port Jackson and Democratic Socialist Karen Fletcher in Marrickville.

Members of NAN were keen to point out at the meeting that while there are independents and minor party candidates running on good no-third-runway platforms, the NAN Party was a single issue party and would be better at gaining community support. They may, however, seek to swap preferences with these candidates.

From GLW issue 172