Shooters MP Robert Brown dumped ahead of NSW election

Angry Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Brown said “politics is a filthy business” after he was dumped ahead of the NSW election in March.

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Long-time Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Robert Brown has been dumped by the party in a shock move he’s likened to a “coward punch from behind”.

At a party committee meeting this morning Mr Brown was removed from the party’s Upper House ticket for the NSW election in March.

Mr Brown’s spot on the ticket is being filled by Illawarra teacher Mark Banasiak who is the party’s chairman.

Shooters and Fishers Party MP Robert Brown, left, with Bob Katter.

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Mr Brown, who had been in the Upper House since 2006, said he was shocked to be “fired” this morning.

“I’ve never been fired before. I’m upset of course but I’m OK,” he said.

“(It was a) coward punch from behind I didn’t see it coming but politics is a filthy business.”

Mr Brown said during the meeting he wasn’t given a reason for why he was being dumped.

“I used by 13 years for a good cause,” he said.

“I didn’t think politically it was in the best interests of the party to be changing a proven candidate and proven legislator seven weeks out (from the election) but I’ve got no ill will towards the party and the rules are the rules and I play by the rules so I hope it doesn’t impact on the campaign.”

Mr Brown said he would now retire.

“I have no ill will towards the party I want the party to succeed, I’ve put my life into it since 1992 but I guess there’s time for everyone to leave.”

Upper House SFF MP Robert Borsak, 65, said the committee decision to dump Mr Brown was about “generational change”.

“I can’t say (Mr Brown’s) too old but there’s an opportunity for change with new eight year term coming up the party is changing and campaigning a lot more in the lower house seats,” he said.

“(Mr Banasiak) is 37 years old and Rob’s 68 (years old) and the selection panel decided that they’d go for a change now rather than when Robert might be ready to retire on his own back.”

Brett Cook, a staffer for SFF’s Orange MP Phil Donato, was preselected for the number two spot on the ticket.