Liberals feel sting of voter backlash against Baird’s greyhound ban

THE  Labor Party has recorded its best result in the Blacktown Council area in more than a decade, picking up an extra three seats in the local government elections on Saturday.

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali at Doonside High School on election day

THE  Labor Party has recorded its best result in the Blacktown Council area in more than a decade, picking up an extra three seats in the local government elections on Saturday.

Labor went from seven councillors to 10, the first time this has happened since 2004. The Liberals went from six to five councillors.

“This is the highest result we have had in more than a decade,” Labor Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali said.

“People are sick of (Premier Mike) Baird ­ignoring Blacktown by concentrating on Parramatta.

“The Liberals also declared Blacktown Council not fit for the future, which people reacted against pretty angrily.”

Ward 1 Labor candidate Chris Quilkey was pleased with the result so far.

“We certainly were hoping for a swing, but we weren’t expecting the magnitude of a swing Labor has received so far,” Mr Quilkey said.

“I am very pleased with the quality of the Labor ­candidates elected and am looking forward to working with them on council.”

Being a greyhound owner, Mr Quilkey said the greyhound issue played a part in the election, especially in Riverstone, Schofields and Marsden Park, a heartland for breeders and owners.

“I did have people come up to me on election day and say they had never voted Labor in their life, but they most certainly were not going to vote Liberal,” he said.

The Quakers Hill resident said he planned on being a councillor who would be out and seen in the community and not just at election time.

Ward 2 Liberal candidate Jaymes Diaz said he was ­taking the result as a warning that he has to be a great representative.

Ward 2 Liberal candidate Jaymes Diaz at Blacktown Boys High School with supporters and voting at the Blacktown Council elections

“It is a warning shot for other Liberals across the state who are having their council elections next year that Liberals at state and federal level need to make the community feel their voices are being heard,” Mr Diaz said.

“Provided the current ­results hold up, I thank the people of Blacktown, in ­particular the people of Ward 2 for giving me a second chance to prove I can make a difference and that’s something I don’t take for granted … We’re in opposition but we will work hard to hold Labor to account and to make sure that we continue to fight to ensure that Blacktown improves.”

With counting continuing on Monday (at the time of the Rouse Hill Times going to print), results showed Labor is likely have two seats in each of the five wards.

Liberal Jess Diaz was re-elected as a councillor in Ward 1. Other Liberals expected to be elected are Frederick Brillo (Ward 3), Linda Santos (Ward 4) and Peter Camelleri (Ward 5).