The Jillian Skinner puzzle: why has the former North Shore MP and NSW Health Minister failed to formally resign?
SPECULATION is swirling around the future of North Shore MP Jillian Skinner, with one local politician convinced she is reconsidering her resignation to stop a disastrous by-election.
Mosman
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AS A “veil of secrecy” descends on the Liberal preselection battle for Jillian Skinner’s coveted North Shore seat, the central piece of the puzzle remains a mystery — why has the former NSW Health Minister delayed her resignation?
Speculation is surrounding the reasons for the three week delay: is Mrs Skinner reconsidering her decision to save Liberal party blushes in what is shaping to be a brutal election campaign run on the key local issue of council amalgamations?
Is she sticking around for a valedictory address in State Parliament?
Does the party want to have separate by-election dates for North Shore and Manly?
“What is she waiting for? This is the question,” said Jilly Gibson, the independent Mayor of North Sydney, whose council’s proposed amalgamation with Mosman and Willoughby is back on the table after Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s announcement on Tuesday.
There is even a suggestion, fuelled by reports of a breakfast meeting in Neutral Bay two weekends ago between Ms Skinner and the new premier, that Ms Skinner may reconsider and stay in parliament despite being dumped from cabinet over her insistence that she retain her health portfolio.
“I believe she (the Premier) would do anything to get that by-election off the table in such difficult circumstances. She (Mrs Skinner) might have changed her mind. She might stay put,” said Ms Gibson.
Some observers suggest Mrs Skinner’s delay in officially resigning could be to allow her to make a valedictory address to parliament, a speech which could well be controversial.
The deadline for Liberal Party preselection nominations passed on Monday, with at least four solidly backed candidates putting their hands up (see below).
But almost three weeks after Ms Skinner’s resignation announcement, the voters of North Shore are no closer to knowing the date for their by-election, one of three looming for the new Premier.
Speaker Shelley Hancock’s office confirmed on Tuesday it had still not received an official letter from Ms Skinner, and so could not yet seek advice on an appropriate by-election date from the Electoral Commissioner.
Meanwhile, the Liberal preselection process has started under what one Liberal source called a “veil of secrecy”, with no official announcements on the number of candidates or their names.
“Certain rules have to be abided by,” the source said.
Ms Gibson said the amalgamation issue presented a “strong opportunity” for an independent to win the seat again.
PRESELECTION CANDIDATES
At least four Liberals have emerged to have a crack at Jillian Skinner’s prized seat of North Shore.
Preselection candidates are expected to include Anna McPhee, former Premier Barry O’Farrell’s chief of staff; Felicity Wilson, a former Property Council executive and former president of the NSW Liberal Women’s Council; Tim James, a former chief of staff to Planning Minister Anthony Roberts; and marketing consultant Jessica Keen.
Although it has been taken by independents Ted Mack and Robyn Read in the past, the Liberal heartland electorate is currently held by a whopping 21.9 per cent.
Although the by-election date is still unknown, pending Ms Skinner’s official letter of resignation, Liberal sources confirmed nominations had closed on Monday and the party’s internal candidate vetting process was now underway.
Ms Wilson is the only candidate to publicly confirm her nomination.
CAMPBELLTOWN DRUG RAID
But party sources said she would face opposition from others including Ms McPhee, chief executive of the Retail Council, who received special dispensation to run after rejoining the party recently, despite rules stipulating candidates must have been members for at least six months.
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