The Liberal Party’s request to prolong the nomination time for local government elections was turned down by the NSW Electoral Commission.
After failing to nominate scores of candidates for the elections scheduled for next month, the NSW Liberals are in serious trouble.
In a unanimous decision made on Friday, the party’s state director, Richard Shields, was fired for the “monumental debacle”.
The Electoral Commission’s announcement on Saturday that it would not grant the party further time to fix its error was the most recent setback.
“The letter requested an extension of the nomination period from Wednesday, 14 August until Wednesday, 21 August,” said the commission.
Dr. Matthew Phillips, the Acting Electoral Commissioner, “has determined not to extend the nomination period”.
Due to the disastrous nomination process, up to twelve Sydney councils will not have Liberal candidates in the elections scheduled for September 14.
The absence of “secretariat resources” was Shields’ excuse. Opposition Leader for NSW, Mark Speakman, called for Shields to go after calling the gaffe a “monumental debacle”.
