Shoalhaven Liberals ‘devastated’ after council campaign cut short by party blunder
A team of south coast Liberal candidates is “bitterly disappointed” after a “devastating” party blunder cut their council election campaign short.
The South Coast News
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A team of Liberal candidates for a south coast council is “bitterly disappointed” by the party’s catastrophic stuff-up, which has left them unable to run in next month’s election despite having started campaigning.
The affected candidates have found support from locals, one of whom branded the blunder “unf--kingbelievable” online.
Paul Ell, Serena Copley and Luke Sikora were beginning their campaigns for Shoalhaven Council, when the NSW Liberal Party failed to meet NSW Electoral Commission candidacy deadlines on Wednesday.
The gaffe left the three candidates, including mayoral candidate Mr Ell, no longer able to stand for election.
However, Shoalhaven was only one of many local government areas affected, with Wollongong, Campbelltown, Camden and the Blue Mountains also expected not to have any Liberal candidates.
“We are bitterly disappointed,” Mr Ell said the day after the major stuff-up.
“[We are disappointed] that due to circumstances beyond our control, it appears based on current information that our local Liberal team will not be able to stand in next month’s election.”
To make matters worse, Mr Ell and Ms Copley were already on the Shoalhaven Council as independents, after being elected in 2021.
Due to the state party’s mistake, which was blamed on staffing issues, they won’t be running for re-election.
It’s a second blow for Mr Sikora, who is also unable to run after losing the South Coast state seat to Labor’s Liza Butler in the 2023 state election.
He previously told this publication he wanted to run for council to make a difference at a local level.
“We are very sorry to all of our passionate candidates for what has happened,” Mr Ell said.
“Whilst this is personally devastating for our team, we are disappointed most of all on behalf of our community who have been denied the opportunity to vote Liberal in this election.”
Mr Ell and his Liberal team have received support for the community after the stuff-up, with many locals expressing their dismay.
“Unf--kingbelievable,” Phillip Pease said on social media.
“So gutted for you, sending strength your way,” Zachary Relouw also said.
Meanwhile, local Ash Mac called on the person responsible to be held accountable.
“Hopefully whoever in charge of the mishap is held accountable for not doing the appropriate actions and justice is served,” she said.
“You have always been a great councillor and leader.”
Mr Ell said it was clear the mistake had not only hit the candidates hard, but also the locals who planned to vote for them.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign,” he said.
“We will have more to say soon.”
Mr Sikora and Ms Copley have been contacted for comment.
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