By Tom Rabe
Labor’s star candidate for the regional seat of Monaro, former NRL player Terry Campese, has pulled out of the state election race in a significant blow to the NSW opposition.
The former Canberra Raider, who was installed as the Labor candidate to contest the Nationals-held seat last year, announced on Friday he was stepping down, citing media coverage.
Terry Campese has announced he will not contest the seat of Monaro for the Labor Party at the NSW election.Credit: Jamila Toderas
Campese’s decision to pull out of the race comes after he was identified as having attended a risqué party while scantily clad.
“Unfortunately, I have also come to realise that, for some, politics is not about representing people but about their own power with a ‘win at all costs’ mentality,” Campese said.
“Today I’m announcing that I will step down as Labor’s candidate. Not because my heart isn’t in it but because I love this community too much to drag it through the media – whether they are truthful or not.”
The seat is held by Nationals MP Nichole Overall on a margin of about 5 per cent. Senior Nationals sources had internally identified Monaro as the party’s seat at most risk of falling.
Campese’s withdrawal from the campaign is a significant setback for Labor as it attempts to win government for the first time since 2007.
Campese said he had never considered being a politician until he was approached for the role last year.
“Perhaps in the future things will change and we will see more community members put their hand up to be involved in politics,” he said.
“It’s clear we need a fresh start in NSW and our communities do, too.”
The Nationals held on to Monaro at a byelection last year, triggered by the resignation of former deputy premier John Barilaro, but suffered a 5 per cent swing.
Campese joins a growing list of Labor candidates to have pulled out of the election race. Canterbury-Bankstown mayor Khal Asfour withdrew from Labor’s upper house ticket last month following revelations he charged ratepayers for luxury clothing and other items.
The Labor candidates for Manly and Ryde have also quit in recent months.
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