VEXNEWS
NO CONTEST: Labor won’t run in Higgins
Much to the disappointment of local ALP branch members who were spoiling for a fight in Higgins, Labor won’t be contesting the forthcoming Higgins by-election.
The Age was particularly excited about the prospect a couple of weeks, decreeing Higgins part of their inner-city fiefdom.
That leaves former Costello staffer and Liberal patriot Kelly O’Dwyer in a good position to win the seat against the Greens political party who will undoubtedly run a candidate to collect a big taxpayer pay cheque for election funding and use it as an excuse.
Labor insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that the widespread presumption of demographic change in Higgins, and a big swing more generally, was not substantiated by the party’s secret polling, presented on Powerpoint to the Prime Minister recently, which showed a likely Liberal victory even in the tough circumstances in Malcolm Turnbull’s Liberals find themselves.
A Labor candidacy would have been a gamble from a government not generally known for them.
“It is a safe Liberal seat with Toorak in it,” the insider told VEXNEWS. “Let’s be realistic about it. Mayo in South Australia was a much more marginal proposition and Labor didn’t run there. It’s not a surprising decision really.”
One local when told the news by VEXNEWS was gravely displeased and said it was a “missed opportunity to really shake the Liberals up in their own backyard. They are travelling so poorly at the moment. It’s a real shame. It will also really boost the Greens who’ll be able to build their profile a lot.”
Discussion
20 comments for “NO CONTEST: Labor won’t run in Higgins”
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Is Tim Costello still standing (closet ALP?)
No, we hear he’s been prevailed upon not to run.
As the CEO of World Vision, he probably couldn’t afford the pay cut to a lowly backbencher…
lol @ inner-city fiefdom.
I heard a rumour that Diane Anderson might be standing in Higgins. I won’t be voting for her if she does. I think Kelly O’Dwyer has much more to offer the good burghers of Toorak and Malvern, and I count myself one of those.
The Greens are laughable. Why give them oxygen. The less they poll the better it will be for us climate skeptics. Come on Andrew Bolt. You are a Higgins resident. How about coming out with a good condemnation of the Greens Party?
That Age story on Higgins is good for a laugh for Higgins is not changing!
Prahran and South yarra have always had a lot of renters!
The ALP machine is gutless scum, I SO hope we lose the next election.
How much of world vision’s charity donations does tim costello pocket each year? I thought money donated to charities was supposed to, you know, go to those in need – not inner city left wealth elites?
World Vision claims that 30% of donations are siphoned off to their coffers but you can bet this figure is fudged as much as they can.
Why won’t World Vision pass on every dollar they raise to those in need, instead of directing donations to Tim Costello to the tune of $500,000 plus a year?
Howard Dean started to sow the seeds for the Democrats takeover of the US Congress and the White House by adopting a “50 State Strategy” but we in the ALP can’t even field a candidate in Higgins. Political cowardice at its worst. Shame.
Where uzz the seat uv Huggins located?
the higgins fea had an excellent candidate in the wings. no, it wasnt that mad woman.
nuxt to the fush n chup shop in mulbourne.
Seems to me Labor are gearing up to win Kooyong, alas Kooyong is lost, but almost half the electorate conference knew this would be the case.
One can cause an outcome at a preselection but you cannot force the hand of the electorate.
A medium celbrity candidtate will be all it takes for Kooyong to be won by Labor
It’s probably because Race misspelt Nick’s name.
11 October 2009
Nick Rees,
State Secretary,
Australian Labor Party,
Victorian Branch,
360 King Street,
West Melbourne, 3003
Dear Nick
The Higgins FEA Executive will be grateful if you will note and pass on to the Federal Secretary and the Prime Minister its strong view that our party should contest the forthcoming Higgins by-election, and that there should an open pre-selection of the candidate consistent with the party rules.
As you will be aware, the FEA conducted a vigorous campaign for Higgins at the last federal election, and significant funds were raised. Executive members are confident that in the current circumstances of the resignation of a long-serving member, the need for an unwanted and unpopular by-election and the current poor standing of the Opposition and its Leader, there is an excellent opportunity to win over former Liberal supporters, and build further on the improvement in Labor support that changing local demographics have for some time been bringing about.
At least four long-standing party members in Higgins or adjacent to it have already indicated their interest in nominating for the pre-selection, and Executive members are confident that an excellent candidate can be secured.
Yours sincerely,
Race Mathews
Higgins FEA President
Race Mathews lost Oakleigh by 200 votes in 1992 to present Monash Councillor Denise McGill. If Race has his way the ALP would lose Higgins by 20,000 votes. A good decision by the ALP. Why benefit self servers like Mathews and Diane Anderson.
Chicken sh*ts
Let’s face it, with the likes of Richard Dalla-Riva in Parliament, the Liberals chances of winning anything are lessened.
Diane Anderson standing for the Australian Democrats – you heard it here first
How can Anderson be an “Australian” democrat. She does not reside in Australia, and has not for several years. – let alone higgins.
Race Matthews is true to his monica = racist?? Hypocritical?? Supporter of privileges and dishonesty in getting them
Deception by stealth has won him a place in Australias backroads for decades – but – there comes a time for every person – when evaluating and assessing leave that person stranded – on the same platform of history – they used to intimidate and shun others with.
Who caused the coup d’etat that resulted in totalitarianism of the right globally for the next 3-4 decades.
Who was in the wings for Gough – waiting …. ?
Why our man in Canberra Racist Matthews – none other – the hero of Victorian Labor – the hero of Labor government federally. But a misplaced heroism – if you ask me.