A shot out of the blue

Darling contests seat of Shellharbour

THE shock announcement this week by Lord Mayor of Wollongong, Alex Darling that he will run as an independent for the seat of Shellharbour has rocked the ALP, with Cr Darling admitting that he has put the cat amongst the pigeons in a deliberate attempt to take the seat he feels is not owned by the Labor party.

Im aiming to set things right, he told the Lake Times.

The selection of Lylea McMahon as a Government selected candidate was undemocratic.

Many people are upset, including members of the ALP and it has to be said.

The anticipation was that rank and file members of the ALP would have the chance to nominate and really have a say

I also fully believe that Labor has nor delivered to the region, especially in the area of employment.

I realise that my chances in gaining the position are slim, but my presence will be known.

I have strong support and the opposition will definitely know Im there.

Shellharbour City mayor, David Hamilton said the idea of 72 year old Cr Darling running for the seat of Shellharbour was ridiculous.

Alex Darling is a big fish in a little pond as Lord Mayor of Wollongong, he said.

State Parliament is a very different ball game.

Hell become a little fish in a very large pond and that concerns me. Cr Darlings comment that Labor has not delivered in the Shellharbour region is a mistruth.

This area is probably the biggest booming area in Australia at present and you cant achieve that without a good team working for the interests of the community and State Government support.

There is a lot more we can achieve and with state Government support we will achieve it. Shellharbour can stand on its own.

AT the end of the day, Lylea McMahon is one of the ALP team and I believe she will work to deliver whats needed in Shellharbour.

My greatest concern is that there is a hidden agenda in Cr Darlings push for the seat.

I believe that agenda is the amalgamation of Wollongong and Shellharbour Councils

I am totally opposed to amalgamation and will work tooth and nail against it.

As long as I draw breath I will oppose it.

As councils go we have a very good working relationship with Wollongong.

But when it comes to politics, Im a Labor man and truly believe that Labor has done a good job, and will continue to do a good job in Shellharbour.

I believe that Morris lemma will follow on from former premier Bob Carr in rejuvenating NSW.

Member for Kiama, Matt Brown said he was perplexed by Cr Darlings bid for the seat of Shellharbour.

I honestly feel he has left it a bit late in his career for this political move, he said.

He had a lot to offer in his former years.

I also feel his views on the Labor party in Shellharbour are unfounded.

The Illawarra Labor team has delivered an enormous amount to the community and that Lylea McMahon will be a positive member of that team.

You only have to look at the Port Kembla expansion, the Shell Cove project, the new Oak Flats Railway Station and security fencing at our schools as examples of what we have done.

That names but a few.

We work as a team, have delivered a lot and will continue to do so.

We cant stop now.

Shellharbour City councillor, Tom Hawker said he felt Cr Darlings bid for the seat of Shellharbour was a shot out of the blue.

Its not totally unexpected.

Its part of a ploy by our so called independents to amalgamate Shellharbour and Wollongong councils.

These anti Labour forces are a party in all but name.

The Labor movement is clearly under attack and the last thing we want, and that the community needs, is amalgamation.

The independents are ineffectual.

They cant get things done themselves, so their actions amount to a protest vote.

Labor has done more in this region than either the so-called independents or the Liberals.

Darlings main thrust is to look after Wollongong and he shouldnt be interfering in Shellharbour.

We need someone who will look after both Shellharbour and Wollongong.

I totally support Cr Hamiltons opinion that Cr Darlings bid for the Shellharbour seat is ridiculous.

He is simply being backed by the independents to take over Shellharbour City.

Why dont these independents stand up and state their aims, instead of sneaking in the back door way.