Due to what has been unofficially described as a monumental f-up, and more formally as either an error or a resourcing issue, none of the Liberal-endorsed candidates can run in the upcoming local government election, 14 September.
Manly Observer can confirm that no Liberal candidates had their nomination forms successfully submitted in time to be included in the ballot draw at 2pm today, 15 August. This article has been updated since yesterday, when we first reported that scores (or more) of councillors across the state did not have their nomination forms submitted by the Nsw Liberal Party head office with the NSW Electoral Commission by the legislated deadline.
We understand local candidates had all necessary paperwork completed but are not allowed to submit it themselves and instead must provide it the NSW Liberal HQ to then forward on.
We understand the NSW Liberal party is referring to it as a resourcing issue and has issued an apology to candidates.
“With the Secretariat resources that we had available unfortunately we were unable to nominate in all of the local government areas that were put forward by the State Executive,” Richard Shields, NSW Liberal Party State Director said in a statement.
“Close to 300 Liberal candidates were nominated with the NSW Electoral Commission, including in areas like Parramatta, Strathfield, Blacktown, Inner West and Bayside where we did not run in 2021.
“The status of nominated Liberal candidates will be communicated upon confirmation from the NSW Electoral Commission.
“On behalf of the Secretariat, I would like to apologise to Liberal endorsed councillors that were not nominated and to the Party membership more broadly.”
The NSW Electoral Commission has confirmed the final list of candidates this afternoon. No Liberal Party candidates are listed, just one affiliate in Pittwater.
Our article on the ballot drawer and a full listing of candidates will be published later this evening.
