Adman John Singleton behind Nathan Bracken's pitch for Craig Thomson's seat of Dobell
Date
August 12, 2013 - 10:38AM
Former Australian cricketer Nathan Bracken will run for federal politics in a tilt bankrolled by ad man John Singleton.
Bracken will run for the NSW central coast seat of Dobell, currently held by controversial former Labor MP Craig Thomson, while Mr Singleton will also back Gosford mayor Lawrie McKinna to run for the marginal Labor-held seat of Robertson.
Sydney. Racing NSW investigation on last month's All Aged Stakes as part of the inquiry into the performance of More Joyous in the race. John Singleton arrives at the inquiry.Photo: Peter Rae Monday 13 May 2013
Adman John Singleton is entering the political fray on the Central Coast by bankrolling two candidates.
Photo: Peter Rae
Mr Singleton confirmed he was funding all costs for ‘‘Team Central Coast’’ as he had been a ratepayer in the area for more than 60 years and the Central Coast had been taken for granted by the major parties for too long.
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He argued ‘‘someone has to keep the bastards honest’’.
Mr Singleton said while Bracken and Cr McKinna were unlikely to win the seats, they would wield influence in preference negotiations ahead of the September 7 elections.
‘‘But we will have succeeded if the major parties understand that your votes, and our candidates’ preferences, will go to them only if they can demonstrate a real commitment to the future of the Central Coast,’’ he said.
‘‘I stand to gain no more and no less from my actions than any other resident of the Central Coast, which I believe has more, or as many, natural assets than anywhere in Australia.’’
While the election would be focused on national issues, the Central Coast deserved candidates who would act on the region’s major challenges and opportunities.
‘‘Our population lives in a depressing present and is faced with a limited future, only because of lack of leadership,’’ he said.
‘‘I am funding this campaign because I feel I should. I can afford it. It can do no harm. And it can only do good.’’
Comment is being sought from Bracken and Cr McKinna.
But Bracken confirmed his candidacy on Twitter on Monday morning: ‘‘I will be running as an independent for the seat of Dobell for the Election and Lawrie McKinna will run in Robertson as an independent #teamcentralcoast.’’
The former Australian pace bowler announced his retirement in 2011 after a chronic knee injury.
He is currently suing cricket’s governing body over the management of an injury in 2007.
Mr Singleton said he knew Bracken through his sporting career and through his father’s company, which was contracted to do works on his farm at full price.
‘‘His reputation in Australia and internationally with his peers is impeccable,’’ Mr Singleton said.
Cr McKinna is mayor of Gosford and was head coach of the Central Coast Mariners from 2005-2010 and in 2012 became director of football at the soccer club.
Dobell, on the NSW Central Coast, is held by former Labor MP Craig Thomson, who resigned from the party and will contest it as an independent.
Mr Thomson holds Dobell with a margin of 5.1 per cent, but is expected to lose. Labor has selected pharmacist Emma McBride to contest Dobell.
Labor MP Deb O’Neill holds Robertson with a narrow 1 per cent margin. Preferences could be crucial to the outcome.
Read more:
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2013/adman-john-singleton-behind-nathan-brackens-pitch-for-craig-thomsons-seat-of-dobell-20130812-2rqyk.html#ixzz2biK3lpRi