Tony Windsor

Message / Question

Not happy about Tony Windsor. That guy is a Labor stooge who wants to get back at the Libs, after backstabbing his constituents, chickening out, quitting. Why would anybody want to vote Windsor? I urge all Christians to vote Barnaby Joyce! Dr Dave?

Response:

I actually lived in the New England electorate for 15 years. Mr Windsor was our local member during the Rudd/Gillard/Rudd era and there was a strong negative feeling in the electorate when he backed the Gillard government in the hung Parliament. In fairness, there were also many who supported his decision and the negative feeling was not as strong as it was in Port Macquarie where the other independent who supported Gillard was based. The clear consensus was that neither men would be re-elected, so it was not surprising to see Mr Windsor withdraw from the race.

However, as goes the old adage, a week is a LONG time in politics and 3 years is like an eternity. There has been a lot of disappointment in firstly the Abbot then the Turnbull governments. There are also a lot of local issues, particularly relating to mining in the region. The result of all of the ill feeling appears to be that many in the electorate seem prepared to “forgive” Mr Windsor and try him again.

It’s no surprise to find that I am a conservative, but regardless of my personal political view, I think that it is a risk for New England to put Mr Windsor back in as the local member. If Labor wins, Mr Windsor may do OK in the new Parliament, however if the Coalition is returned, they may not warm to the person who defeated their Deputy Prime Minister and Mr Windsor may become something of a “lame duck” member. In the event of another hung parliament, Mr Windsor is “keeping mum” about who he would support to form government, so Conservative voters may live to regret re-electing him if that should happen.

Everyone seems to be predicting a very close election and I think that the Seat of New England will go down to the wire. If it goes to preferences, as it seems very likely to do, Mr Windsor would have to be “favourite” to win the seat. I can only say to New England voters to be very careful in making your choice (for Christians, I would add to be very prayerful!), consider which candidate will be in the best position to help the electorate and be careful NOT to forget what happened when Mr Windsor was last elected – history does have a habit of repeating itself.