A LABOR candidate at the last state election is having a tilt for the seat of Goulburn at the March poll, this time as an independent.
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Rob Parker told the Post this week he resigned from the Labor Party last April after five years, disaffected by the party machine.
“I realised I wouldn’t get anywhere on climate change, something I’m passionate about,” he said.
“But most importantly, it didn’t matter how hard you worked, a bunch of drunks sitting around a Chinese restaurant and in Sussex St (Labor headquarters) would decide who would run.”
Mr Parker said the party had marginalised members in key decisions and too often, candidates like Stephen Jones in Throsby were being “parachuted” into seats. Labor was not alone in this; the Liberals had done the same with Pru Goward in 2007, he claimed.
Mr Parker believes he’ll have more power as an independent to achieve things for Goulburn, such as hospital funding.
He also cited reconstruction of the power industry, including less reliance on burning coal and greater focus on green energy as a key issue. Yesterday, Mr Parker said Ms Goward had thrown in the “towel” on electricity privatisation. He called on her and the Opposition if they won government to exercise their power and open up
the deal to “proper scrutiny.”
For the full interview with Mr Parker, see Friday’s Goulburn Post.
