Forbes residents will be voting for a new state representative in a by-election following the announcement that Andrew Gee will represent The Nationals as the candidate for Calare at the federal election.
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On Saturday night Mr Gee claimed victory in The Nationals’ preselection ballot for Calare.
He will replace sitting member John Cobb, who will retire before the federal election expected July 2.
With Mr Gee opting to try his luck in federal politics, a by-election will be needed to find a replacement member for the state seat of Orange.
But Mr Gee’s office confirmed yesterday that everything was “business as usual” until the writs were issued for the federal election.
A state by-election is not likely until after the federal election, expected July 2.
In March, a spokesperson for the NSW Electoral Commission said it would be hard to predict the cost of a by-election, but suggested the figure could be $450,000 for taxpayers.
Mr Gee acknowledged the cost would be high, but said he was committed to ensuring there would be great returns for the people.
“I was heartened by the fact that the Orange Ratepayers Association said they believe that any cost of a by-election would be far outweighed by the benefits that we could get for the seat of Calare,” he said.
Mr Gee has singled out roads, water security and the future of jobs in the central west as his priorities if The Nationals maintain their hold on Calare, as expected.
Forbes will vote for the seat of Riverina at the next federal election.