New Blood

NSW Premier Morris Iemma has publically demanded that all pre-selections be finalised as soon as possible as the next State election rapidly approaches. A number of pre-selections are currently taking place, with the high-profile seat of Balmain to be decided in two weeks' time. Meanwhile, sitting member Marianne Saliba has announced she will not challenge for pre-selection of her seat of Illawarra.

While the emphasis in the Daily Telegraph's article on this today is the notion of sitting members being challenged - which in any case should be decided democratically, by local rank-and-file preselectors - in my opinion the emphasis should really be on finding quality candidates for seats that the party does not hold but could. The apparent lack of interest in doing this is really quite bizzare. Of these, the most curious seat to be neglected is that of Sydney (formerly Bligh), currently held by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore. It's no secret that there's disquiet amongst some of Moore's constituents who had previously known her as an accessible local member but now find it increasingly difficult to catch her in her electorate office. Bafflingly, the pre-selection not only remains to be held, but remains even to be scheduled. Surely, it would be the best chance for the ALP to achieve its long cherished dream of toppling the once insurmountable Independent? Not without a candidate ...