NSW by-elections: Orange shapes as battleground amid anti-Nationals campaign

SABOTAGE, vandalism, dirty tricks and threats have turned the crucial Orange by-election into one of the most bitter and brutal contests in memory.

Nationals candidate for Orange Scott Barrett takes a break on a property in Orange ahead of the by-election. Picture: Jonathan Ng

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SABOTAGE, vandalism, dirty tricks and threats have turned the crucial Orange by-election into one of the most bitter and brutal contests in memory.

For weeks under-siege Nationals candidate Scott Barrett has battled to stay afloat in the central west by-election, which could decide the Baird Government’s future.

The 37-year-old ex-shearer with a degree in agriculture is the central player in a toxic campaign in which he has been the target of an orchestrated attack by outsiders to “Put the Nationals Last”.

Defaced election posters in Orange reflect tensions. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mr Barrett has had his tyres slashed, election signs have been defaced and stolen in the night and Scott Munro, who missed Nationals preselection and is running as an independent has spoken of threats and recriminations.

As voters go the polls today the race between Mr Barrett and his two main rivals, Labor’s Bernard Fitzsimon and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Philip Donato, is uncomfortably tight for the government.

The Nationals and the Coalition are on the nose in Orange over two major issues — the ban on greyhound racing and forced council amalgamations.

Mr Barrett, selected for the Nationals when the former Member for Orange Andrew Gee resigned to seek a federal seat, was at a loss as to why convoys of “out-of-towners”, unions and radio talkback heavyweights Alan Jones and Ray Hadley had joined a campaign to sink him.

Scott Barrett has been bombarded with criticism and opposition. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Orange-born candidate is also facing fierce resistance from “bushies” across the region incensed by the government’s move to amalgamate Cabonne, Blayney and Orange councils, while the greyhound fraternity fears its future is still not guaranteed despite Mike Baird’s backflip.

Battling granny Marj Bollinger from Molong in the Cabonne Shire has been leading the local protest movement against forced mergers.

“It is the process we are most concerned about — the lack of democracy,” Ms Bollinger, 73, said.

A swing of 21.7 per cent is needed to topple the Nationals in Orange but polling indicates voters will send the party a strong message of protest today.

Locals said the uncertainty caused by the greyhound upheaval was flowing through to dairy and poultry farmers fearing a crackdown on animal welfare.

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