TV star steps down as Labor candidate for Vaucluse
LIFE is no longer imitating art for actor Di Smith. Unlike her A Country Practice character who entered politics she is stepping down as Labor candidate for Vaucluse.
Wentworth Courier
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A COUNTRY Practice star Di Smith has stood down as the Labor candidate for Vaucluse with Bondi Beach Precinct convener Lenore Kulakauskas to replace her in the fight for the blue ribbon seat.
Ms Smith, who starred as Dr. Alex ‘Fraser’ Elliott from 1982 to 1992 on the long running soap and has more recently appeared on ABC TV’s Rake, said she chose to step down due to work commitments and wanting to provide more support for her son during his HSC year.
“Yes, reluctantly I had to withdraw my candidacy for Vaucluse this time around,” Ms Smith said.
“Decisions such as this are never taken lightly. The timing of several events, both personal and professional, made it impossible for me to proceed as candidate for this campaign.
“I was very happy indeed when Lenore accepted the nomination and was endorsed. Rest assured I will be assisting both her campaign for Vaucluse and Tim Murray’s for Wentworth in whatever capacity and whenever I can. Labor to win!”
Ms Kulakauskas, who was endorsed today, has the odds stacked against her to beat incumbent Gabrielle Upton at the March 23 poll.
Ms Upton received 65.57 per cent of the first preference vote at last election with 18.55 per cent going to the Greens and just 13.2 per cent to Labor.
The 74-year-old Bondi Beach resident is a lifelong eastern suburbs resident who was born in Clovelly and has lived in Bellevue Hill, Elizabeth Bay and Rose Bay as well as stints in other location both nationally and internationally.
The mother of two adult daughters has lived at Bondi Beach permanently since 2003 since which time she has been involved with the precinct including as convener for the past five years.
She’s a regular at Waverley council meetings and has been politically active in the electorate for many years.
“I’ve always been opposed at Bondi Beach, not on a permanent basis but at various stages, the attempts at privatisation of parts of the beach. I also fought against the privatisation of the pavilion,” Ms Kulakauskas said.
“The other thing I took great exception to was the council amalgamation.
“I convened a meeting at Bondi Junction and we had the Greens, Liberal and Labor in the same room. It was like a love fest of the three parties — it was incredible.”
Ms Kulakauskas has a varied work history including as a tax consultant, small business owner, meditation teacher and goat farmer.
She is the current president on Bondi Labor and owns a 15-year-old rescue dog named Benji.
IN OTHER NEWS
Ms Kulakauskas’ endorsement comes as Ms Upton is forced to defend claims her office is a toxic environment with a high staff turnover and that she is an ineffective minister who doesn’t get things done.
Ms Upton rubbished the claims in a statement to the Wentworth Courier.
“The claims are false and I absolutely reject them,” Ms Upton said.
“Since 2014 I have been allocated four full time drivers before my current one.
“Since April 2016 there have been six Ministerial Staff changes.
“I work very hard on behalf of the NSW Government and so do my staff. I value their efforts and commitment.”