MEMBER for Goulburn Pru Goward has unequivocally denied rumours she plans to abandon her constituency and move to the Upper House.
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On Sunday, the Sun Herald published an article claiming the seat of Goulburn would “almost certainly” be abolished in the state’s electoral redistributions and that Ms Goward could be forced to move to the Upper House, while retaining her ministerial portfolio.
On Wednesday morning the MP hit back, labelling the article “inaccurate” and categorising it as “filler”.
She said the Electoral Commission hadn’t even done its population projections yet and that it was far too early to speculate about anything.
When asked if she was seeking a seat in the Upper House, her answer was simple: No.
“I’m not going anywhere,” she said.
“I love representing Goulburn. I have no plans of going anywhere. I love my community, so many of my friends are part of the community… “In the same way that John Howard used to say he was a bit of a cricket tragic, I’m a Goulburn tragic.”
The Sun Herald report quoted Liberal Party sources as saying the majority of Goulburn, including the city, would likely become part of Burrinjuck, meaning Katrina Hodgkinson would become our state MP.
In the meantime, Bowral and Mittagong would become part of Wollondilly and Moss Vale, Exeter and Sutton Forrest would be taken in by Kiama.
The Sun Herald’s sources said Goulburn would likely be dissolved in order to avoid a fight over Burrinjuck.
The report also stated that Member for Wollondilly Jai Rowell held factional power so he was therefore less likely to lose his seat.
The NSW Electoral Districts Commissioners are currently in the process of reviewing population projections in order to redraw the state’s electoral boundaries.
The law requires such a review and redistribution to take place after every second election so that all 93 NSW electoral districts have an approximately equal number of electors.
The redistribution must be finalised by March next year, a full year out from the next state election.