As we have seen in the past few weeks, politics is a tough gig. We’ve seen a prime minister rolled and a procession of MPs calling it quits on their careers, among them Member for Gilmore Ann Sudmalis.
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In stating her reasons for the decision to withdraw her nomination for preselection, Mrs Sudmalis delivered an incendiary speech under parliamentary privilege. In it, she laid blame at the feet of her state parliamentary colleague, Kiama MP Gareth Ward, Shoalhaven councillor Andrew Guile, and myself, editor of the Milton Ulladulla Times and South Coast Register.
She accused Mr Ward and Mr Guile of waging a campaign of bullying, intimidation and damaging leaks, and myself of reporting on those leaks.
Journalists are duty bound to report on the news that occurs in their communities, including politics.
It is concerning Mrs Sudmalis feels she has been subjected to a campaign of undermining by her colleagues in the local Liberal Party. It’s an issue she should take up with them.
Politics can be brutal. At the end of the day, in a democracy, it is all about numbers. To be successful, a politician needs to convince people to vote for them. Likewise, in internal party politics. Without the numbers, the support, a career in politics becomes untenable.
This is the story we have been covering.
However, to take aim at the messenger – the news outlets reporting on local politics – as Mrs Sudmalis has done is wide of the mark.
We stand by our coverage of politics. That sources in the Liberal Party “leak” to us with detailed information should come as no surprise. This is the nature of politics and is no different here in Gilmore than anywhere else.
Parties leak, journalists cover the story.
We have over the years been a lightning rod for dissatisfaction within the Liberal Party. We have heard from a wide range of business people, rank and file party members and ordinary citizens.
We have always strived to offer Mrs Sudmalis and her supporters equal opportunity to present their view on the internal issues the Liberals have been wrestling with locally. In many instances our phone calls and emails have gone unanswered.
One can hardly complain if they don’t provide the balancing commentary they say is missing.
