GUNNEDAH mayor Jamie Chaffey believes his pre-selection for The Nationals NSW Senate will not be a conflict of interest with his current role.
Despite the roles being across two levels of government, with one aligned to a political party, Cr Chaffey said there would be little crossover between the two.
“As far as I am concerned there is no conflict of interest,” Cr Chaffey said.
“I am very passionate about local government and the good work our council has done over the last two years.
“I think it is very important for rural people to have a voice and that is why I will put my hand up at next week’s mayoral elections to lead this shire going into the future and why I went for pre-selection.”
The recent bid for the position vacated by Inverell senator John ‘Wacka’ Williams saw Cr Chaffey pre-selected alongside Conargo’s Perin Davey (who will lead The Nationals’ ticket), Bathurst’s Sam Farraway and Wagga Wagga’s Paul Cocking.
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Cr Chaffey’s chances of making the senate are currently slim, but could improve if negotiations with the Liberal Party fall through.
“The Nationals Party can run with four candidates if it runs on its own ticket,” Cr Chaffey said.
“However, until there are negotiations had with the Liberal Party as part of the Coalition I’m not too sure what comes next.”
If the Coalition runs on a joint ticket, Cr Chaffey would be unlikely to make the cut.
Gunnedah Shire Councillors will decide on a mayor and deputy mayor with Cr Chaffey nominating himself to continue in his role as mayor.
“I hope to carry on the good work accomplished by this council in its first two years,” Cr Chaffey said.
“There’s still a lot to do.
“Hopefully I will have the support of my fellow councillors and we can continue the good work into the second half of this council’s term between 2018 and 2020.”
Fellow councillor Colleen Fuller has also confirmed she will run for mayor while Gae Swain confirmed she will step down from her role as deputy mayor at next week’s council meeting.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
