The Legalise Cannabis Party gets the donkey vote for Clarence

The ballot has been drawn for the NSW state elections and the running order has been set for the seat of Clarence. 

In the seat of Clarence, sitting member Chris Gulaptis, Nationals, of ‘Koala Wars’ fame, is retiring and the Legalise Cannabis Party tops the ballot paper.

The sitting member for the seat of Clarence is Chris Gulaptis, Nationals, of the ‘Koala Wars’ fame, who is retiring. He won the seat with 64.5 per cent of the vote in the last election with Labor running second at 35.5 percent of the vote on a two-party preferred basis. In the last two elections on the Northern Rivers it has been when National MPs retired from their seat that it changed hands to alternative party. The seat of Ballina went to The Greens’ Tamara Smith in 2015 and the seat of Lismore went to Labor’s Janelle Saffin in 2019. 

For 2023 the Nationals are seeking to retain the seat of Clarence with Grafton radio broadcaster Richard Williams as their candidate, who has the fourth position on the ballot.

Ironically, the first spot on the ballot has been taken out by Mark Raynor of the Legalise Cannabis Party. He is followed by Dr Greg Clancy who is running for The Greens then Independent Debrah Novak.

Mr Williams, Dr Clancy and Ms Novack have all served on the Clarence Valley Council.

The last election saw the Shooters, Fisher and Farmers party take out 16.8 per cent of the primary vote but they do not have a candidate for this election. 

Labor, who took out 21 per cent of the primary vote in 2019 is running Leon Ankersmit as their candidate who has fifth position on the ballot.

Nicola Levi is running as an Independent and Goerge Keller is running in last position on the ballot for the Sustainable Australia Party – Stop Overdevelopment / Corruption. 

Brett Duooux is running sixth position on the ballot and has not identified any affiliation.

The Echo online will be conitinuing to ask questions of your candidates, if you have any issues that you think need to be addressed email: [email protected] with your suggestions.