NSW Liberals Threaten Legal Action Over Election Commission Decision

The New South Wales Liberal Party has accused the state’s electoral commission of violating regulations, claiming it may pursue legal action if not granted additional time to nominate candidates for the upcoming local government elections. State president Don Harwin requested a one-week extension to submit nominations for over 130 candidates after the party missed the original deadline last Wednesday. However, acting electoral commissioner Matthew Phillips denied this request on Saturday. In a statement released on Sunday, the Liberal Party asserted that the commission had breached election regulations by providing only five days of notice before the nomination deadline, rather than the required seven. The party emphasized that this issue is not merely a technicality but fundamental to ensuring a fair electoral process. The administrative oversight has resulted in eight local councils lacking Liberal candidates, including key areas traditionally held by the party, while another eight councils have only partial candidate representation. Premier Chris Minns commented on the situation, expressing uncertainty about the Liberals' potential legal grounds for a challenge. He supported the electoral commission's decision to reject the extension request, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an independent electoral process. Minns stated that it is inappropriate for major political parties to oversee their own electoral processes, reinforcing the need for impartiality in the commission's role. The electoral commission's handling of the situation has drawn criticism, with calls for accountability from within the party, as the ramifications of this administrative error could significantly impact the upcoming elections.