LEAVE POLITICS OUT OF STATE ELECTION EQUATION, SAYS BROWN

KIAMA MP Matt Brown denied the relative poor showing of Labor candidate Ed Gilmore in the recent council by-election served as an early indicator in next years state election, saying he was happy to rely on his track record at election time.

Despite the departing comments made by defeated Greens candidate, Ben van der Wijngaart, who called on the local ALP to take serious stock of its poor performance and the causes for that performance, Mr Brown said he was happy with the way Mr Gilmore ran his campaign.

He ran a good, clean campaign with some good, clear policies and I think he can be pleased with the way he conducted himself, said Mr Brown.

In fact, I believe most candidates did very well and I would like to congratulate Hamish as well as the other candidates for putting up their hands to make this town a better place, he said.

However, I dont think there is any correlation between these results and any upcoming State or Federal elections.

Local government campaigns are run increasingly on personalities and the people who stand.

The political branding of people has become less and less important.

People arent so much concerned with the policies of different parties as the policies of different candidates.

People want to vote for people who they know will make a difference to the community.

Mr Brown said he would be happy to rely on his track record going into the next election, saying it was this and his promises for the future that would determine the end result.

Although there is a lot of work to be done I am happy with the way things are going, he said.

I have delivered on all my election commitments and people are still flocking into my office.

When people stop coming in or the phone stops ringing thats when I will know I have a problem, he said.

I think Hamish winning the by-election is an example of people wanting young professional people to represent them.

As I have already said, there is a long way to go but I believe we are on track.

Mr Brown said he believed the state election would be fought on several key issues including the latest IR reforms, while his own track record would play a large part in the eventual result.

I think the key issues will revolve around basic infrastructure and the new IR reforms, he said.

IR is a huge issue at the moment. There are many constituents who are feeling very nervous about getting sacked or having their pay reduced.

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