WHO HAS THE FUNDING? CANDIDATES SLUG IT OUT
WHO HAS THE FUNDING? CANDIDATES SLUG IT OUT
February 14, 2007
Section: News
JUST how much the major parties are spending in their state election campaigns for Kiama is unclear, but what is certain is just how sensitive they are about it.
Member for Kiama Matt Brown has defended charging $200 a ticket to his campaign launch at Bellachara Resort at Gerringong last Friday.
Labor Party members paid $70 and a total of around 150 people attended included business people and well-known developers.
Mr Brown told the Kiama Independent that he needed the money to counter what was being spent by the Liberal Party to ensure their candidate for Kiama, Ann Sudmalis would run a strong campaign.
"With the way the Liberal Party are throwing money behind their campaign, I have to do something to try and equal their efforts," Mr Brown said.
In response, Ann Sudmalis says she is "shocked" at the allegation of running an expensive campaign and that she had purchased her promotion vehicle with her own money.
"I believe in myself and have bought my car using my mortgage," Mrs Sudmalis said.
She said three brochures have been printed by the Liberal Party's head office and around 150 posters have been sponsored.
"I wish I had 10 percent of the resources Mr Brown has access to," she said.
"We have to rely exclusively on private fundraising but he, being a Labor Member, gets all that plus donations from the union movement and all their resources.
"I don't have the NSW taxpayer and the union movement bank rolling me so I would expect that Mr Brown will do very well, despite what he might like the electorate to believe.
"In the last state election Labor outstripped our spending by a factor of about three to one but I can see this blowing out easily this year," she said.
Mr Brown said, like his opponents, volunteers and supporters staffed his campaign.
"People like my father and Labor Party members all work hard to ensure we are heard," he said.
"It's a sign of commitment from people wanting to see the success of the region continue," Mr Brown said.
The Hon Frank Sartor MP was guest speaker at the Bellachara launch and commended Mr Brown for his commitment to the region.
Meanwhile Mrs Sudmalis has asked $50 per person for a cocktail party at a private residence in Berry on Wednesday, February 21 at which Federal Member, Hon Bronwyn Bishop will speak.