The Nationals’ bid to seize the federal seat of New England from independent MP Tony Windsor is in chaos after the forced withdrawal of its candidate, the NSW independent MP Richard Torbay. Nationals NSW chairman Niall Blair confirmed the withdrawal in a statement on Tuesday night.
Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce could take his place. Senator Joyce had said he would contest the seat if his party asked him to, ABC Television reported.
The withdrawal of Mr Torbay came a day after The Australian Financial Review reported Mr Torbay had been helped into politics in 1999 by former Labor powerbroker Eddie Obeid , now the subject of a corruption inquiry. Mr Torbay was also one of dozens of political and other figures featured in Mr Obeid’s diaries, published last week.
The Nationals state director Ben Franklin gave no reason for Mr Torbay’s withdrawal, saying legal reasons prevented him.
Mr Blair said: “The party has received information over the past 24 hours of which we were not previously aware regarding Mr Torbay.’’
“The matters in question pre-date Mr Torbay’s membership of The Nationals.
“The party has asked Mr Torbay to withdraw his candidacy for New England and to resign from the NSW National Party, which he has done.
“We will immediately proceed to preselect a new candidate for the seat of New England at the earliest opportunity and will provide a strong community champion to take the fight up to Tony Windsor and the Gillard Labor Government.’’
He said the party was seeking legal advice on the information received and will be making no further comment at this stage.
The matter is highly embarrassing for the Nationals leader, Warren Truss, who was to launch Mr Torbay’s campaign on Friday.
Mr Torbay did not answer his phone on Tuesday evening.
One Liberal said the dumping was an opportunity for Barnaby Joyce to move to the Lower House.
Liberal senator Simon Birmingham, speaking on Sky News, said the news was “not ideal” but he hoped the Nationals would get a new candidate on the ground soon.
NSW independent and key crossbencher Rob Oakeshott, tweeted:
“As stated before, the reach of E Obeid went beyond one political party. And is one of reasons why I’m now Independent MP. Good luck Tony Windsor.’’
NSW Labor powerbroker Sam Dastyari tweeted: “Good riddance to Torbay, a career liar who has been caught out. Australia can do without him in our nation’s Parliament.”
