Seems the electorate of Clarence has a phantom Local Member

Despite being declared the winner of the 19 November by-election a week ago and being sworn in as the Member for Clarence last Friday a happy snap of Chris Gulaptis is yet to appear on the NSW Parliament's website.

A couple of mates at the local watering hole reckon the no-show by Gulaptis on the parliament's website is easily explained.
One mate reckons the photographer couldn't manage to get the new MP's head in the photo shoot - a panorama shot was required.
Another mate reckons that because the new local MP wears the label "Steve Gulaptis" the delay in getting an image on the site is due to a problem in getting a composite shot of Steve and Chris.
The first mate also reckons teams of carpenters have had to be urgently employed at parliament house and the local MP's electorate office. The reason >>>>>>>> tops of doorways have had to be widened to enable Gulaptis to get his swollen head through them.

Questions for Steve Cansdell about political greed

Those who thought Cansdellgate would quietly disappear after the recent by-election in Clarence need to think again. 

Questions about when police will charge disgraced former MP for Clarence Steve Cansdell for telling whoppers in a statutory declaration remain unanswered.

Now, a Grafton resident, via the letters columns of The Daily Examiner, seeks answers about the cost of the by-election.

Political greed

I would like to know how much the by-election has cost the taxpayer?

And why shouldn't the person causing the by-election foot the cost of it?

After all, he has allegedly broken the law and not for any other reason but to save his political hide.

There are genuine reasons why by-elections occur and that should be exempt.

But this (by-election) was caused by reasons other than that.

This (by-election) was caused by political ambition and greed, and we as taxpayers have to foot the cost.

I ask again - how much did this by-election cost?

And is there some way of finding out?

Jeffrey Fuller, Grafton

Sources:         Letters, The Daily Examiner, 28/11/11

Image, The Northern Star

Gulaptis becomes new Clarence MP

The National Party’s Chris Gulaptis is the new Member of Parliament for the Clarence Electorate until 2015 and, on his past history this tenure is likely to be one marked by discord between himself and local communities in the Clarence Valley - with the possibility of dissatisfaction also emerging on the Dorrigo Plateau and in the Casino district.

Overall at this election there appears to have been a -16.3% two candidate preferred swing against the Nationals and, according to Antony Green on paper Clarence is the 5th biggest by-election swing since the war. However, the outcome was never in doubt.

At close of counting tonight primary votes and 2CP votes for all 45 booths have been reported with the following results.

National Party result and swings by polling booths overleaf.

Image of lightning strikes over South Grafton on 12 November 2011 found at NBN News

Clarence By-election - links to live cover 19 November 2011

ABC’s Antony Green with live updates at http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2011/clarence/ from 6pm

NSW Electoral Commission at
http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/results/by-elections/state/2011_clarence_by-election_results/.
Clarence by-election results will be uploaded as soon as available after 6pm, and will be updated progressively on Election Night and until ballot count ends.

Northern Rivers Greens will be tweeting at https://twitter.com/#!/nrgreens

ABC Local Radio (Grafton/Kempsey/Richmond) news updates at 738 AM and 92.3 FM or 94.5 FM

After weeks of campaigning Gulaptis has few friends

Nats Candidate Chris Gulaptis has been on the Clarence campaign trail from the getgo and on Facebook since about the 28^th of October – yet he had less than 125 friends on this social networking site by election eve. And quite a few of these seem to be the party’s political operators.

Not a good look for a man who unswervingly believes in his own popularity.

No fraccing, no dredging, no floating coal seam gas hub

Country Labor candidate, Peter Ellem has demanded the O’Farrell-Stoner Government rule out allowing the Clarence or Evans Rivers to be dredged to support offshore Coal Seam Gas processing facilities on the North Coast.

“I’m calling on the O’Farrell-Stoner Government to rule out any dredging of the Clarence or Evans Rivers to support Coal Seam Gas operations in northern NSW,” Mr Ellem said.

“Metgasco has already flagged a proposal to build a floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility off the North Coast to process Coal Seam Gas from Casino and export overseas.

“If Metgasco is allowed to proceed with these plans, we could see the Clarence or Evans Rivers being dredged so a pipeline could be built from Casino out to sea.

“Dredging the Clarence or Evans Rivers would see us facing a pulp mill style scenario like the region faced in the 1980’s, which would have a disastrous impact on the fishing, tourism and farming industries.

“We have already faced the complete destruction of our river with the pulp mill proposal back in the 1980’s - we cannot risk the health and future of our river again by allowing it to be dredged, especially for the Coal Seam Gas industry.“We have already seen dredging in Gladstone Harbour to support offshore Coal Seam Gas operations and places like Yamba and Evans Head must not be forced to face the same fate.

“Metgasco’s proposal is extremely concerning for local residents, farmers, fishers and the businesses that rely on tourists coming to the Clarence for our stunning rivers and beaches.

“Country Labor believes that until the science is in, we should suspend all current Coal Seam Gas exploration licenses, cease issuing extraction licenses and refuse any applications to expand existing operations.

“Moratoriums are simply not good enough because they suggest that whatever science is available from a certain date will judge the future of the industry.

[Excerpt from statement by Peter Ellem]

Clarence By-election: survey respondent left in the dark

The phone rang last night during dinner so Clarrie Junior kindly offered to answer it.

"Hey Dad, there's a bloke here wanting to ask questions about the election on Saturday. Do you want to speak with him?"

"Yep, sure do," I responded.

Although I missed the caller's preamble I had a fair idea what to expect, given it was about the fifth survey that had come my way since the former, and disgraced, local MP Steve Cansdell sh*t in the proverbial nest and then jumped ship after serving just 6 months of the four-year parliamentary term. Please, remind me again how much this by-election is costing you and me and how much the former local MP is contributing to it from his handsome parliamentary pension. Hey, he caused it so he should be forking out for it.

Question 1: "Which party will you give your first preference to on Saturday?" 

I thought, "That's an easy one to answer but I wished they asked me why would I not vote for candidate so-and-so".

Question 2 went a bit like this: "We want to know what you think about some identities who are  associated with politics in your area. Press 1 for favourable, 2 for neutral, 3 for unfavourable or 4 for if you don't know them."

First name, Steve Cansdell. There's no prize for guessing how this voter, along with most of the electorate, feel about being p*ssed on from a great height by someone who told big fibs in a sworn statement and then tried to downplay the seriousness of his actions.

Second name, Chris Gulaptis. Again, there's no prize for readers on this one.

But then, the real shocker! The phone went dead! No more names! No more questions! I was left standing there with the phone like a shag on a rock. What an anti-climax! Not a thank-you, kiss my b*m or anything else. C'mon, that's not fair and square. Imagine the uproar if the final siren was sounded ten minutes early in the AFL grand final or the winner of the Melbourne Cup was the nag that was in front at the furlong pole.

Boy oh boy, that was such a disappointment. I had been looking forward to giving Fred Nile's disciple a very special rating. After all, she went out on a limb to reveal how out of touch with reality she is when she made a cameo appearance in the scandalous Stuart Ramsey - Grafton abattoir affair.

Admittedly, I would have had to give most of the other candidates, with the exception of The Greens and Country Labor candidates, ratings of "4". Well, they are apart from Wade Walker pretty much blow-ins and/or serial election offenders (one in particular has almost had as many starts as Phar Lap). 

As for Wade Walker, one of my mates at our local watering hole pretty much summed him up when he said, "Walker had a bit of a go and kept the goat track (aka Pacific Highway) up there as an issue but other than that his effort was rather pedestrian." (That mate's a punny fella.)

2011 Clarence By-election Scorecard. Part Five - the wrap up

NSW Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis ended his personal election campaign in much the same manner as he started it – showing up for photo opportunities with recognisable faces from the Liberal or Nationals camp, doing the minimum number of interviews and sometimes spectacularly going off piste with wild claims. I expect this candidate to lose more votes than he would have if he had not decided to keep the electorate guessing on so many local concerns and broader state issues. While his cynical attempt to ride on the coat tails of an admitted law breaker displayed personal characteristics which may make some voters nervous.

NSW Country Labor candidate Peter Ellem remained consistent in his campaigning – bringing local issues and targeted policy to the fore. Staying on message from the time writs were issued. In fact he was one of only two candidates who seriously attempted to communicate with the electorate.  His ability to talk well in print was probably one of the reasons that the O’Farrell Government delivered a small amount of genuinely new funding for the Clarence electorate in the dying day of the by-election campaign.

NSW Greens candidate Janet Cavanaugh displayed a passion and commitment throughout her campaign and an engagement with community which should gain some additional traction with voters. I suspect that The Greens decision to place mining on the agenda from Day One will strike a chord within many local communities. Janet was the only candidate besides Ellem who seriously attempted to communicate with the electorate and not just throw slogans and sound bites around. Like Ellem she identified important issues and stayed on message - though she was possibly slightly more responsive to community feedback.

As for Independents Wade Walker and Stewart Scott-Irving, along with Christian Democratic Party candidate Bethany Camac, Outdoor Recreation Party candidate Clinton Mead and Australian Democrat candidate David Robinson – they ignored almost every opportunity to fully explain themselves to the electorate. Somewhat mistakenly they all appeared to rely too heavily on Meet the Candidates nights in an electorate where travel distances are an issue for many. Their responses to The Daily Examiner Q&A were too little and too late for any effective dissemination. None of these candidates door knocked in my street or mailed out literature which reached my letterbox. Therefore (with Walker being the exception because he was already known with regard to one local issue) they remain virtual ballot paper ghosts to date.

Assessment:

1. Chris Gulaptis – despite the contentious televised campaign ads this lacklustre campaign sees him losing scorecard ground since last week.

2. Peter Ellem – proved that a strong candidate can make an incumbent state government react, thus improving the funding bottom line for the Clarence electorate. His score improves considerably.

3. Janet Cavanaugh – punched above her weight throughout and treated the electorate with the respect it deserves. Her score increases.

4. Wade Walker – probably needs to work out a realistic election campaign strategy if he intends to stand for office again. Although his past online presence will always be there to haunt him. His score remains static.

5. Bethany Camac – perhaps it’s time her party rethought who might represent it at future elections. No movement in her score.

6. Clinton Mead – despite a late Facebook page creation and a bizarre Q&A response he remained Clinton Who? until the end. No score change.

7. David Robinson – another whose party needs to rethink its pre-selection process. No score change.

8. Stewart Scott-Irving – one of the disadvantages of the democratic process it that it throws up serial candidates who turn almost non-existent campaigning into an art form. No score change.

Rolling Scorecard*

Gulaptis -4

Ellem 5

Cavanaugh 5
Wade Walker 0.5
Bethany Camac -3

Clinton Mead -2

David Robinson -0.5

Stewart Scott-Irving -0.5

* This scorecard is predicated on a -5 to 5 range of possible scores

Gulaptis on the campaign trail - but wait, there's more!

The Nationals candidate in the Clarence by-election, Chris Gulaptis, has escaped the reservation again with a message that The Cops are Coming and they will be on the beat by the end of the year.

Now the entire Clarence Valley is aware that ten more police are on their way there and Casino is hoping for three additional probationary constables, but Gulaptis is promising more, more, more!

Do we want 20, 30, 35+ extra officers? Just name the figure and Chris is apparently privately promising to deliver these coppers to our door.

It is almost certain that NSW Premier O’Farrell, Deputy Premier Stoner and Police Minister Gallacher are blissfully unaware of the actual size of the blue army they are expected to march north by Christmas.

A walk down memory lane as the Clarence electorate prepares to vote on 19 November 2011

ABC Unleashed in 2007:

For instance, Chris Gulaptis, the candidate for their only marginal seat, Page, stated in public and on the record that people living in the northern rivers region should just put up with lower wages because of the scenery - and how about the serenity? I don't know, I just don't think this is the canniest vote-winning tactic in one of the poorest areas in Australia.

Gulaptis tells political pork pies - again!

Nats candidate in the Clarence byelection, Chris duh, don’t know Gulaptis, escaped his minders again and opened his mouth without finding out the facts. He capped this off with another untruth. What survey was that again, Chris?

The Daily Examiner on 17^th November 2011:

“SIX years after the Iluka Rd speed limit between Woombah and Iluka was dropped from 100km/h to 80km/h, Nationals candidate for the Clarence by-election Chris Gulaptis wants the O'Farrell government to reverse the change.

In 2005, the then roads minister Eric Roozendahl signed off on the speed limit reduction which was partly imposed to reduce road kill of the endangered coastal emu population that live in nearby Bundjalung National Park.

Now, Mr Gulaptis said he has a 1500 signature petition signed by locals, calling for the speed limit to be raised to 100km/h.

He said the push to reinstate the 100 km/h speed limit was instigated by former member for Clarence, Steve Cansdell.

"When it happened it was a unilateral decision by the minister without any community consultation," he said.

He understood the speed limit was under review by the minister for roads.

"The road will handle the speed, there is no reason for the road not to be 100km/h."

Mr Gulaptis could not answer whether the petition was a recent one, or one launched six years ago in opposition to the speed limit reduction, as he said he hadn't seen it, despite claiming on radio yesterday that he had it. “

Pollie in a glass house lashes out

It's becoming clear that Peter Ellem will say anything to get a vote." cried a shrill Chris Gulaptis today.

A little cat let this out of the bag...

The Brushgrove community has long favoured building a small "low level" flood levee to protect their homes and hopefully avoid the need for emergency evacuation. 
Apparently every voter's friend Chris Gulaptis has been telling residents there that a levee in their area is not on any important To Do list - saying that a former Maclean Shire councillor (not of the Nationals persuasion) agrees with him.
I'm hearing that this former councillor and longtime Brushgrove resident is irate that Gulaptis is telling so blatant an untruth.
In fact the former Maclean Shire Floodplain Management Study and Plan refers to a flood levee at Brushgrove as a feasible floodplain management option for the village and that same former councillor is still raising the need for a levee with Clarence Valley Council's Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee. He made his latest plea for a levee in August 2011 when he told Clarence Valley Council that the Brushgrove community would help build the levee if it got approval.

Howzat!

Chris Gulaptis caught out again in another whopper by Peter Ellem's bowling this evening:
"But Mr Ellem called on Mr Gulaptis to provide the Budget details to back up his claim.
Is this $3.7 million part of the $11.73 million the former Labor Government delivered for Casino Public School?" Mr Ellem asked.
Labor had already provided $11.73 million over two and a half years for new buildings and a refurbishment, with the work to be completed by 2012
Interestingly, the 2011/12 Budget papers from the O'Farrell-Stoner Government claim the $3.7 million funding is for 'continued major building projects at Casino Public School'.
If it is indeed the same funding, Mr Gulaptis should apologise for misleading the people of the Clarence yet again over incorrect funding claims.
Casino Public School parents, teachers and students would have been forgiven for thinking their school had received a new $3.7 million grant given Mr Gulaptis' campaign material.
This appears to be the third time Chris Gulaptis has wrongly claimed credit for millions of dollars in funding the National Party did not deliver to the Clarence," Mr Ellem said.
If Mr Gulaptis is going to keep wrongly claiming credit for funding the O'Farrell-Stoner Government has nothing to do with, how will he fight for new funding and resources for our community?
Mr Gulaptis' first campaign move was to incorrectly claimed the Nationals delivered $9 million for Grafton Base Hospital when it was actually from the Commonwealth and former Labor Government."

And another lie bites the dust

The ever inventive Chris Gulaptis told the Clarence electorate tonight; "There is not, nor has there ever been such a scheme" to build a coal seam gas mine in our area.
Studiously ignoring the enormous Metgasco elephant at Casino (with the Liberal Party's Richard Shields as its external relations manager and Nationals Stuart George as its land administration officer) which falls within the Clarence electorate and the Casino to Ipswich coal seam gas pipeline the O'Farrell Government will be pushing to completion because the "NSW government has not announced any change of policy related to coal seam gas licences,..The legal rights of any exploration holders across NSW remain unchanged."

Update:

Another deliberate misstatement rears its head

"Country Labor candidate Peter Ellem said yesterday the funding was actually provided by the former Labor Government. This may have been a Labor promise, Mr Gulaptis said, but the Coalition Government delivered it."
So tired of all this fudging and fibbing that I'll just link to a North Coast Voices post which shows the money was actually to be paid out under a contract between the former NSW Labor Government and the builder doing major capital works at Casino Public School as I write.

Clarence By-election: Nationals also on the nose in the northern end of the electorate

While much of the reporting about the National Party and its candidate Chris Gulaptis has concentrated on the Clarence valley where it has to be said they're on the nose for taking the electorate for granted a couple of contributors to The Northern Star have reminded readers that it's not all plain sailing for the Nationals in the north.

Nationals 'thumb nose' at democracy

My teenage daughter saw a National Party TV ad last night that shows Mr Cansdell supporting his replacement and asked if this was the same guy who was under a police investigation.

I said yep that is him.

She said that they have some real arrogance for even a politician to have him spruiking.

Seems they are just thumbing their noses at our democracy.

I agreed and thought, yes, they seem to not care that one of their number may have broken the law.

That was OK, not a big deal, just vote us in again.

I am greatly concerned about the message this is sending to our young people. What's next?

Alex Smith, Ballina

Two, by George

How can Stuart George, councillor with Richmond Valley Council, represent the people of the Richmond Valley properly and without bias when dealing with CSG issues when he is now an employee of Metgasco?

Moreover, how can Thomas George, State Member for Lismore, do likewise with family interests associated with Metgasco?

It appears that LNG now have 10% of shares in Metgasco and LNG is a majority owned subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation.

Guess where the CSG drilled in our area will be going to?

Yep, export to China.

And this will be to the detriment of our World Heritage listed areas of the Border Ranges National Park and the Great Barrier Reef.

Please write to Janelle Saffin and Thomas George pointing out your opposition to the expansion of CSG.

John Heaton, Uralba

Source: Letters, The Northern Star, 17/11/11

Three days out from polling day and Gulaptis gets well and truly told

No-one's sitting on the fence in this DEX poll on 16th November 2011

About this time in the 2007 federal election campaign Nats candidate Chris Gulaptis was receiving similar negative feedback. Pause for thought?

One comments section under The Daily Examiner article Disgraced MP in candidate's adverts:

By MHSMOTHER from Maclean on 16/11/2011 at 5:21AM

What were you thinking Mr Gulaptis!

I nearly choked in my cornflakes when I saw Steve Cansdell spruiking Chris Gulaptis on television. This has left a bad taste in my mouth and I personally feel that Mr Gulaptis has done himself a great disservice going down this track in his campaign.

I, for one, will certainly be re-considering my vote, particularly taking into account the latest info coming out regarding Mr Gulaptis' past support for coal seam gas. This latest advertising campaign from Mr Cansdell, on top of the CSG evidence coming to light is definitely not good for Mr Gulaptis.

By Machiavelli from Armidale on 16/11/2011 at 6:38AM

The Notional Party backroom unelected political hacks are treating the Clarence electorate with their usual contempt by having a confessed crook on their political advertising.

But then, in other times at other places the Notional Party have often believed that they are above the law by using the local Notional Party MP to get out of parking & driving fines.

The Notional Party lapdog for the Barrier OFallacy LIberal government will represent the party's financial sponsors in Clarence to protect his pre-selection for the 2015 NSW election.

Independent MPs get things done for their electorates.

By willbewatching from Grafton on 16/11/2011 at 6:46AM

To get the person who caused tax dollars to be spent on the by-election to do an advert saying we cannot afford to have a rep in opposition is strange. To use him in an advert to get the people who think " steve is a good bloke" vote shows contempt for the intelligence of voters in Clarence. Certainly did not encourage me to vote Nats. In fact it had the opposite effect.

By Dreyfuss from Maclean on 16/11/2011 at 7:05AM

Cansdell broke the law, he lied and deceived for his own personal gain and now we have to waste our time and tax payer money to vote for another candidate. Asking for an endorsement from an ex member of parliament who is facing possible criminal charges and a jail sentence shows that Gulaptis defines himself as a self serving man with no principals and no moral compass, just like his predecessor and thinks that the voters in Clarence are idiots. If he is prepared to overlook his colleagues behaviour he obviously is prepared to make an exception for a mate and that is not what makes a good political representative.

By msmith24 from Ramornie on 16/11/2011 at 7:38AM

Mr Cansdell ,should have no place on Television, taking part in, advertising campaign's for the Nationals.He resigned in disgrace after making a false Stat Declaration. Which in all fairness makes his character rather shady ,untenable ,and just plain wrong to be doing these add's on tv.Mr Cansdell has lost all credibility in the eyes of most decent voters. Shame on him.

By EmmaB from Yamba on 16/11/2011 at 7:40AM

Anyone living in the Lower Clarence at the turn of the century would recall that the Nats and Gulaptis can't even spell ethics - much less act ethically when it goes against their political self-interest.

By Tellmeanything from Yamba on 16/11/2011 at 7:41AM

Has anyone asked Mr Gulaptis any hard questions yet? Is it true he stormed out of the area vowing never to return when he lost in his election bid in 2007? Is it true he left while still a Clarence Valley Councillor with 10 months still to serve, then being an absentee councillor? Is it true he has sought ALP pre-selection in the past? Would have thought these important questions to ask him to establish whether he is an political opportunist or someone who will work and lobby hard for the Clarence Electorate.

By Fedup from Junction Hill on 16/11/2011 at 7:54AM

I am at a loss as to who to vote for on Saturday. I voted National in the last election but can no longer offer that same support this time and the other parties have done little to eran my vote either. So a conumdrum I have.

By Dessyp from Grafton on 16/11/2011 at 8:03AM

willbewatching from Grafton on 16/11/2011 at 6:46AM said

To get the person who caused tax dollars to be spent on the by-election to do an advert saying we cannot afford to have a rep in opposition is strange. To use him in an advert to get the people who think " steve is a good bloke" vote shows contempt for the intelligence of voters in Clarence. Certainly did not encourage me to vote Nats. In fact it had the opposite effect.

same here, when i first heard labor was running a candidate against the "nats" i thought they'd be no chance!, I'm not so sure now.

By UrsulaTunks from Grafton on 16/11/2011 at 8:16AM

Does the National Party really hold the electorate in this much contempt? Do they really believe that we are that stupid and lacking in integrity that we would fall for this disgusting campaign strategy? It's been a long time since I've felt so insulted and so outraged. This is simply horrendous and unforgivable. The people in the Clarence Electorate deserve so much better. My integrity is NOT negotiable. The National Party is telling the people of the electorate that they believe that they will forgo their ethics in order to have a sitting member who is not in opposition. My vote is NOT for sale.

By swingingvoter from Palmers Channel on 16/11/2011 at 8:19AM

It is hard to imagine greater arrogance or greater contempt for our political system....just disgraceful. Shame on you Steve Cansdell for what you did. Shame on you Chris Gulaptis for what you are doing. I'm ashamed that I voted for Chris Gulaptis when he ran for the federal seat of Page.

By Tellmeanything from Yamba on 16/11/2011 at 9:25AM

Fedup from Junction Hill on 16/11/2011 at 7:54AM said

I am at a loss as to who to vote for on Saturday. I voted National in the last election but can no longer offer that same support this time and the other parties have done little to eran my vote either. So a conumdrum I have.

Know how you feel Fedup but at the end of the day we are voting for someone who will work hard, be accessable to the Electorate and have the best interests of the Clarence people at heart..not a Party.

By yambaman from Yamba on 16/11/2011 at 9:29AM

Now Mr Gulaptis, I love the ad with your son but Steve Cansdell is yesterdays man and should have been consigned to political history! Keep him on and you risk losing the unloseable, what he personally did was disgraceful. I'd suggest you change your advertising company and your advisers, both are completely out of touch with public opinion re Cansdell!

By Smally from Palmers Island on 16/11/2011 at 11:11AM

Chris Gulaptis has first experience not being in control of his electorate from Head office . The Legacy of Cansdell is bad enough without using him as a tombstone around the neck of Gulaptis . Ben Franklin should be on sidelene with Cansdell. Dumb & Dumber

By bertson from Yamba on 16/11/2011 at 11:45AM

Why would Gulaptis seek the endorsement of somebody who deliberately and wilfully broke the law? What integrity does Cansdell have left? He signed a statement which said
"A person who intentionally makes a false statement in a statutory declaration is guilty of an offence, the punishment for which is imprisonment for a term of four years."
Cansdell's illegal and immoral action caused this by-election in the first place. He is not to be trusted, and neither is his endorsement.

By zinger from Brooms Head on 16/11/2011 at 12:11PM

MHSMOTHER from Maclean on 16/11/2011 at 5:21AM said

What were you thinking Mr Gulaptis! I nearly choked in my cornflakes when I saw Steve Cansdell spruiking Chris Gulaptis on television. This has left a bad taste in my mouth and I personally feel that Mr Gulaptis has done himself a great disservice going down this track in his campaign. I, for one, will certainly be re-considering my vote, particularly taking into account the latest info coming out regarding Mr Gulaptis' past support for coal seam gas. This latest advertising campaign from Mr Cansdell, on top of the CSG evidence coming to light is definitely not good for Mr Gulaptis.

I think the whole of the Lower Clarence who once strongly supported Gulaptis would and should be thinking along the same lines as you. If he loses this unlosable(?) by election, he has only himself to blame.

By zinger from Brooms Head on 16/11/2011 at 12:22PM

Tellmeanything from Yamba on 16/11/2011 at 9:25AM said

Know how you feel Fedup but at the end of the day we are voting for someone who will work hard, be accessable to the Electorate and have the best interests of the Clarence people at heart..not a Party.

I agree. I can't vote Labour back in, and now I cannot vote Nats after this Cansdell/Gulattis/coal seam gas fiasco. It's not in me to vote Greens. What can I do Fedup? So, I'm going to vote for the man Peter Ellem. When he was the editor of DEX he was totally behind the Clarence Valley - and I'm sure he will continue to do so now.

By Tellmeanything from Yamba on 16/11/2011 at 3:19PM

Noticed Mr Gulaptis has his NATS website already under construction....now thats CONFIDENCE for yuh!!!

By thunda from Australia on 16/11/2011 at 3:20PM

Most pollies suffer from 'foot in mouth disease' and their egos won't allow them to see the bleeding obvious. On every paper there should be a box for a vote headed 'none of the above' so that those who cannot support those standing have a choice that makes their vote count as opposed to an informal vote that is merely put down to an error is casting the vote. This method would truly reflect voter preference.

By JohnHancocks from Maclean on 16/11/2011 at 3:36PM

No, I can’t vote National, of course not – in all conscience who can? Not in this electorate anyway. From the moment scandal broke the Nationals have done everything possible to downplay Cansdell’s actions: “mistake” “error of judgment” and no one in that party has been game to come out and say “Yes, our local member had to admit to a criminal act”. It’s as if not one of them can see that what Cansdell did was not just illegal but that he let us his constituents down, badly – people who position themselves as leaders in the community and who seek elected office have to present as squeaky clean and conduct themselves accordingly. So, seemingly Gulaptis as our prospective representative sees nothing wrong with Cansdell’s actions either? God help us, are we in for more of the same? Judging by the culture manifest among the local Nationals we have every reason to fear the worst, so what now? Dodgy land deals, cronyism, back handers...all the things we’ve witnessed elsewhere suddenly flourishing in the Clarence? Here we are afflicted with a party seemingly bereft of values pushing a candidate that frankly represents the scrapings of the electoral field. Thank you National Party....who the hell CAN I vote for out of this sorry lot? It won’t be your offering that’s for sure.

By UrsulaTunks from Grafton on 16/11/2011 at 4:23PM

It also concerns me that they're happy to 'ignore' the situation in relation to the false swearing of a Statutory Declaration. I think people are forgetting that if you are aware of a 'corrupt act' and fail to report that 'act' then you are also guilty of an offence under the Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988. If the police, or ICAC, are in fact conducting an investigation and they uncover 'other' corrupt acts then anyone else involved who's failed to report these acts will also be subjected to criminal charges. On the bright side though, those that do come forward with their knowledge of any alleged acts before they are brought to light by an investigation, will covered by the strengthened whistle blower provisions in that same Act. I wonder if this possibility is even relevant? I'm so glad I never worked for him.

By wade2460 from Grafton on 16/11/2011 at 8:56PM

I would be keeping the lowest profile ever if i had pending criminal charges... out of sight out of mind...not a high profile image !!! Chris seems to think he has it won.. I think the Nats have made a wrong choice .....

Lock the Gate Alliance endorses Greens and commends Labor in 2011 Clarence by-election

As the Clarence by-election campaign enters its final days, the candidate endorsements begin to emerge…………………

Lock the Gate Alliance president Drew Hutton said his organisation had no political affiliation but would recommend a vote based on candidates' record on coal and coal seam gas.

Mr Hutton said he had studied the records of all eight candidates and was pleased that one of the independents and the Labor candidate had supported a moratorium on coal seam gas until all social and environmental issues had been addressed.

However, Ms Cavanaugh's strong advocacy on this issue over a long period made her the best candidate for voters to express their opposition to coal seam gas moving into their region.

The New South Wales Greens had also done a great deal to keep this industry under control, especially through the work of mining spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham.

"The people of Clarence have companies like Metgasco, Red Sky and Arrow looking to cover much of the region with gas wells, pipelines and other infrastructure turning this beautiful region into a bleak industrial zone," Mr Hutton said.

"The tourism and agricultural industries will be at risk and underground water will be threatened.
"Coal seam gas is the biggest issue facing the voters of Clarence and the best way to send a clear message to Premier Barry O'Farrell that it is not wanted here is to give a vote to the Greens."

Nationals extremely comfortable with Clarence by-election adverts featuring law-breaking former MP

Once again the North Coast Nationals and Chris Gulaptis demonstrate their lack of understanding when it comes to Ethics 101. One shudders to think how the Clarence electorate will fare under this particular stewardship.

The Daily Examiner 16 November 2011:

A POLITICAL row has developed over the National Party's use of disgraced MP Steve Cansdell in advertisements endorsing Clarence by-election candidate Chris Gulaptis, three days out from the polls.

Despite resigning from parliament on September 16 after admitting he falsified a statutory declaration to avoid losing his driver's licence over a 2005 speeding fine, the National Party saw fit to include Mr Cansdell in Mr Gulaptis' advertising campaign.

As well as appearing in Mr Gulaptis' campaign television advertisement, a photo of Mr Gulaptis with Mr Cansdell features in a campaign leaflet delivered across the Clarence electorate.

While supporting County Labor candidate in the by-election, Peter Ellem, opposition leader John Robertson yesterday accused the National Party of not understanding the seriousness of Mr Cansdell's offence.

"The thing that I am amazed by is that it is quite a serious offence, but the National Party is treating it as something that isn't significant," he said.

"Marcus Einfeld went to jail for a similar thing but they are treating this like a joke."

Mr Robertson also questioned why Grafton police were yet to lay any charges against Mr Cansdell.

"Three days out from an election, it has been eight weeks (since this became public), and still there is nothing," he said.

"Frankly people will have a right to be sceptical if they make some sort of announcement next week."

The Nationals' State director Ben Franklin said he didn't think Mr Cansdell appearing in the advertisements would negatively affect Chris Gulaptis's campaign.

"I am extremely comfortable about Steve appearing in a television ad," he said.

"I, for one, as the state director of the party, was extremely pleased that he wanted to do a television ad to make it clear what his views were about in the by-election."

Clarence By-election: National Party accommodates country bumpkins and red neck voters

A Clarence valley resident has neatly summed up the options voters have when they go to the polls on Saturday to elect their new representative.

On November 19, the voters of the Clarence electorate will have to go back to the polls, not long after the last state election, because their elected local member had to fall on his own sword after getting caught out doing something very inappropriate. After a fairly short selection process, the National Party was able to find a National Party candidate who could both read and write, so they selected him as their nominee.

Now, if you want someone to represent the Clarence Valley in NSW Parliament, who likes to do photo opportunities and sound bites for the media, then this might seem like a suitable representative for you. You know, like standing outside Grafton Hospital while your photo is being taken, is doing something about local health, or standing next to the Pacific Highway while the press takes your photo is doing something to improve local roads, or standing outside Maclean High School for another photo-op to garner red neck votes over the bat issue. You get the idea? The usual National Party fare to gather the country bumpkin, or local red neck votes.

However, if you want someone to represent the whole of the Clarence Valley and its diverse needs, you should consider casting your vote more wisely this time. If you want someone who will stand up for local interests in NSW Parliament, and fight tooth and nail to represent us, and not big business, then cast your vote for the Greens. Recent history has shown that independents such as local Greens candidates are able to get much more for their electorates than party hacks can.

Your previous National Party representative tried to assume as low a profile as he could in the O'Farrell Government. Hardly likely to bring much benefit to the Clarence Valley, or protect the local environment and local jobs from greedy big businesses or O'Farrell Government razor gangs.

The National Party has failed to stand up to the Liberal Party when it came to the best interests of their electorate time and time again. When the Liberal Party says jump, the National Party says how high, please sir. You are starting to hear all about coal seam gas extraction, fracking and the like, and how much damage it can do to the environment, farmland, damage to the Great Artesian Basin and underground water supplies. Then there is the likelihood of an antimony mine being opened up in the catchment of the Nymboida River - your water supply. If this gets polluted it will be for hundreds of years.

Don't expect a Liberal/National party government to do anything to stop these, other than making lip service statements. They are deeply in the pocket of big business and vested interests, and everyone with two eyes and tolerable hearing knows it.

They can hardly wait to sell off the rest of the State electrical generation system, completing the job started by the Labor Party. If you think your electricity bills are high, wait until big business owns it all and the only thing that matters is keeping the stock holders happy. Screw the customers and the staff. They don't matter (and this has nothing to do with a carbon tax despite all the misinformation and deliberate lies being put out by the Liberal/National parties).

So, if you want to save your bacon, so to speak, you have one clear choice, vote green. Janet Cavanaugh is your local Greens candidate. She is well educated, intelligent and motivated to look after the local environment and local jobs; she already has a great track record in those areas. Already there are reports of government jobs being lost from the Clarence Valley, plus loss of services that are already poor enough.

Police, nurses, teachers, etc., will be leaving the NSW public service in droves soon because of O'Farrell Government policies. Stop the rot - cast your vote wisely. If you don't and get what is coming to you from that choice, then don't whinge about it afterwards. You had your chance and blew it.

M Casey

Source: Letters, The Daily Examiner, 16/11/11

'Headwaters not Deadwaters' say the Mid North Coast Greens

Media Release from the Mid North Coast Greens 15 November 2011:

Headwaters not Deadwaters. No antimony mine near our water.

This Saturday the electors in Clarence will be able to clearly send a signal to the O'Farrell government about the proposed antimony mine on the headwaters of the Clarence and Nymboida Rivers. This message is also crucial for the residents of Sawtell and Coffs Harbour dependent on the same water source.

Only the Greens candidate Janet Cavanaugh is pressing for a complete ban on the reopening of the mine.

The National Party is enticed by the possibility of short term jobs and talks of a 'balance' between the environment and mining. The Nationals recently ruled out the possibility of even expediting a land use assessment when this was proposed by Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.

Labor still talks of a moratorium and safety measures.

There is only one candidate that clearly states, “Don’t ever mine antimony at Wild Cattle Creek and risk our water.’ Don’t take the risk with ‘fence sitters’.

Are these candidates seriously considering the possibility that an open cut antimony mine, 1.5 km long and 0.5km wide, could be made safe. That could be a very long time. In our high rainfall it is inevitable that tailings containing arsenic and antimony will be washed into the Nymboida and Clarence, as has happened to the Macleay River. It may not happen next year or in the next ten years or even the next 50 years but these sites have the capacity to pollute for thousands of years. The only safe way to contain antimony and arsenic is to not to disturb the ground.

Mr Wade Walker has represented ‘Steve Cansdell’s Office’ at at least one meeting and requested Pauline Hanson to stand in the Clarence electorate. http://paulinehanson.com.au/pauline-hanson-2011/. He might stand as an independent but his politics are ‘conservative’.

'Among Mr Walker's other key policies is more of an emphasis on renewable energy in the Clarence and also a halt to coal-seam gas exploration and antimony mining in the Clarence area until more is known about their environmental and health-related impacts.' Daily Examiner, November 8, 2011

In reality these candidates are mouthing ‘appropriate’ words like ‘balance’, ‘safeguards’, ‘protection of the environment’ and ‘calling a halt until more is known’ hoping that this greenwashing will sooth the concerned voter. Don’t be fooled.

There is only one candidate that clearly states, “Don’t ever mine antimony at Wild Cattle Creek and risk our water.’ That candidate is the NSW Greens Janet Cavanaugh.

Let's hope the Clarence electors know what is best for their children and our children. Their message to the O'Farrell government is also crucial for the residents of Coffs Harbour and Sawtell