Clarence By-election: Nationals make the same mistake a second time

The Sydney Morning Herald 16 October 2011:

A former north coast mayor has been selected by the NSW National Party to contest the Clarence state by-election.

Chris Gulaptis beat six other preselection candidates in a ballot on Sunday…....

Mr Gulaptis ran for the Nationals during the 2007 federal election, but failed to win the seat of Page.

The Daily Examiner 16 October 2011:

IN a tightly contested pre-selection this afternoon, Chris Gulaptis was chosen to lead The Nationals to the November 19 by-election for the seat of Clarence.

Nationals spokesman Jeremy Challacombe said the decision was so close it came down to preferences

One has to wonder why the NSW Nationals have mounted a tired horse. The last time Gulaptis stood for mayor he was soundly defeated 6 votes to 3 and, the last time he stood for a federal parliamentary seat 56.5 per cent of Page voters did not give him their primary votes and/or their second, third or fourth preferences.
This man has the ability to take Clarence from an extremely safe Nationals seat to an almost marginal one in the space of weeks.