Michael Johnsen quits after rape allegation, lewd texts scandal

Nationals in the Upper Hunter electorate have begun early strategising ahead of a byelection caused by the resignation of MP Michael Johnsen, who denies raping a sex worker.

Senior Nationals are eyeing long-term Singleton Mayor Sue Moore to stand for the seat of Upper Hunter as the government steels itself for a critical by-election following the resignation of Michael Johnsen amid an accusation of raping a sex worker.

The by-election in the marginal seat is a must-win for the government, with a loss threatening to cement Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s status in minority government.

But the by-election has also shaped as a test of Jodi McKay’s future, with her opponents stating a loss in the marginal seat will end her tenure as opposition leader.

Singleton mayor Sue Moore could be the Nationals’ new candidate for Upper Hunter. Picture: Supplied

She would replace current MP Michael Johnsen, who has resigned.

It can be revealed the Nationals intend to follow local democratic preselection processes, but have already identified the first female mayor of Singleton, Ms Moore, as a strong possible candidate.

She was first elected to council in 1999.

The Nationals are also hoping the joint popularity of Ms Berejiklian and John Barilaro will work in the government’s favour in order to buck historic trends which usually see incumbents lose by-elections.

Early strategising was under way last night, with hopes to learn from the disastrous Wagga by-election in 2018 and structure the campaign around a core group of senior ministers and a strong local candidate.

It will be no easy fight though.

The Nationals hope the popularity of Deputy Premier John Barilaro will help them retain the seat. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The Shooters Fishers and Farmers party is also expected to be a strong contender after polling 22 per cent of the primary vote in 2019.

One Nation did not stand at the 2019 election but intends to field a candidate.

The party’s state leader Mark Latham said the campaign would focus on coal jobs and would target Matt Kean and the energy minister’s newly appointed climate board chair Malcolm Turnbull as enemies of the local economy.

Mr Johnsen confirmed his resignation to NSW speaker Jonathan O’Dea yesterday after he was pressed by Mr Barilaro to leave parliament,

Mr Johnsen remains the subject of a police investigation into a sex worker’s claim he raped her when she had only agreed to provide oral sex.

The police have not issued any charges and Mr Johnsen denies the allegation.

Michael Johnsen texts to the sex worker.

In a statement, he criticised Labor’s use of parliamentary privilege to air the rape allegation against him and “vehemently denied” it, saying it was “devastating, unfair and unfounded”. He added: “I am an imperfect human and I own that.’’

He did not directly address reports by the ABC, which obtained a number of text messages reportedly sent by Mr Johnsen to the sex worker, some while he was sitting in the parliament during Question Time.