Rob Fitches, Stokers Siding
I would like to point out that, according to his signed and witnessed Candidate Information Sheet viewable on the votensw website at http://candidates.elections.nsw.gov.au/default.aspx?txtContestId=LG1201-129-01-00, Phil Youngblutt is a member of the National Party and NOT an independent.
He is described incorrectly in the Tweed Council newsletter as independent. In fairness this could be a typo on the part of Tweedlink, but he also neglects to mention his party membership in his half-page ad in the local weekly.
Given the past form of so-called independents in this area who, in fact, where funded by the pro-development lobby, it would seem to be very poor judgment indeed to not make one’s political affiliations clear – or is this just more of the same?
Rob, regardless of whether it is ‘poor judgment’ or an astute move by Phil Youngblutt to not make his political affiliations clear, here is some information on the issue….
Party Affiliation or “Independent” on ballot paper
Information on this issue can be found in LG.200 Handbook for Parties, Groups, Candidates and Scrutineers at Local Government Elections.
Page 28 of that document states:
‘Candidates nominated by Registered Political Parties (‘RPPs’) will have the registered name of the party (or its registered abbreviation) printed on the ballot paper below their name and below the group voting square (if requested).
Candidates not endorsed by an RPP may request to have the word ‘Independent’ printed below
their name on the ballot paper, or request not to have “Independent” printed on the ballot paper’.
Mr Youngblutt’s Candidate Information Sheet (which is also available online) shows that he said that he was a ‘member’ of the Nationals, but that he had not been ‘nominated as a candidate’ by any registered party. Therefore, he seems quite entitled to have the word ‘Independent’ printed below his name on the ballot paper.
Simon Haslam
General Manager
Echo Publications
PS the Handbook can be downloaded from this page http://www.votensw.info/information_for/candidates_and_groups
Due to ill health I have voted by postal vote. As far as I recall, Phil Youngblutt was listed as ‘Independent’, yet his affiliation with the National Party are well known.
Looks a like a bit more of the ‘I’m an independant vote for me’ of the developer funded election campaign of a few years ago…