Local Government Elections: NSW Liberal Party backflips on council candidate endorsements

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been forced to backdown on calls to stop the NSW Liberal Party from endorsing candidates at the September Local Government Elections. SEE WHERE NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN HERE.

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NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been forced to kill a campaign for the Liberal Party to step away from endorsing candidates at a Local Government level, a senior Liberal Party source has revealed. 

The NSW Liberal Party will today open the nominations for potential candidates to seek endorsement for eight local government areas in greater Sydney including Blue Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Canada Bay, Lane Cove, Northern Beaches, Ryde and Waverley councils. 

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian called for the Liberal Party to not endorse council candidates. Photo: Kate Geraghty via NCA NewsWire

In August, party members went into meltdown after reports the Premier expressed her support in calls for the Liberals to not endorse any candidates for upcoming council elections to the NSW State Executive, sparking “crisis talks” on the northern beaches.

The Liberal Party will open nominations for Liberal Party members who are interested in running in the September 2021 Local Government Elections today, with the nomination process open until November.

Earlier this year, NewsLocal revealed the elections, due to be conducted last month, were delayed by Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock for 12 months in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Former Manly Mayor, and President of the Liberal’s northern beaches branch Jean Hay hit out at the Premier’s.

The move to prevent party endorsements of local council candidates follows new rules around candidate finances.

Under the changes, each candidate is now responsible for their own financial dealings while campaigning for Local Government elections, while financial responsibilities also place liability on the party.

In previous council elections, financial accountability was imposed on a party agent used as an intermediary to provide financial oversight.

It is understood the Premier supports the party’s position on the opening of nominations. Ms Berejiklian was approached, but declined to comment.