UPPER Hunter Nationals MP Michael Johnsen faces an almost unprecedented challenge from within the party after a second National confirmed he would nominate for preselection for the 2019 election.
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Former Wallaby Ollie Hall and Upper Hunter councillor James Burns will both challenge Mr Johnsen in a nomination process expected by August, for a seat that was formerly a Nationals stronghold but is now one of the most marginal in the state.
My intention to nominate has been the worst kept secret in the valley.
- James Burns
The highly unusual challenges, described by party members as “almost unprecedented” against a sitting Nationals MP, occur after both Country Labor and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party identified Upper Hunter as a key and winnable seat in 2019 after decades as safe National.
If successful it could see a new and last minute National candidate run a six-month campaign against high profile Country Labor candidate Martin Rush and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate John Preston, who has campaigned solidly for nearly 18 months.
A focus on the seat and Mr Johnsen’s future as Upper Hunter MP is prompted in part by the circumstances of his marriage ending, which dismayed many in the party and the community where his former wife remains popular.
Mr Burns, a coal miner with a career that has included 10 years of active naval service, advised Mr Johnsen and Nationals state executives in January that he would nominate. Mr Hall, who only recently joined the party and confirmed he would challenge, is a former coal miner, Australian rugby representative and actor in productions including Mad Max III: Beyond Thunderdome. Both men live with their families in Scone.
Mr Burns said his intention to nominate “has been the worst kept secret in the valley”.
“I made my intentions known to Michael Johnsen face to face in January, and have confirmed it to members when asked on a one on one basis,” he said.
“I hope that throughout the National Party's democratic pre-selection process we can have a robust and respectful discussion about the issues that matter to the people of Upper Hunter.”
Mr Hall said he nominated because the seat had dropped from being safe National held by George Souris at 23 per cent, down to an “ugly” 2.2 per cent after Muswellbrook mayor and Country Labor candidate Martin Rush’s strong campaign against Mr Johnsen in 2015.
Mr Hall said he felt very passionately that “the rural side don’t have a voice”.
Although he declined to comment directly about Mr Johnsen’s representation of “the rural side”, Mr Hall said: “I feel like I can connect with rural people better, that’s my opinion.”
“All I can do is put my hand up. If they don’t preselect me I’ll support whoever they do,” Mr Hall said.
“When you look at the margin now it’s ugly, so what do we do about it? Do we just sit on our hands and let it go by or do we fight?”
Asked to comment about the highly unusual internal challenges, Mr Johnsen said: “I welcome all those that wish to put their hand up for public service.”
NSW Labor leader Luke Foley announced Mr Rush would represent the party again in the Upper Hunter in 2019, because “the Upper Hunter community deserves much more than what it is getting under the Nationals, who have shown they are just a rubber stamp for their Sydney-centric Liberal partners”.
Mr Rush said he would be fighting against “dismantling government services in rural and regional NSW by cutting education, health, and emergency service budgets”.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party Upper Hunter candidate John Preston announced he was gunning for Mr Johnsen’s seat in January, 2017, with education and jobs for young people a priority.
“For young people at the moment the best part of the Upper Hunter is the road out. We want to give young people aged 18 to 35 a reason to stay,” Mr Preston said.
