New South Wales Opposition leader John Robertson has hot-footed it to Newcastle after yesterday’s sensational resignations of Tim Owen and Andrew Cornwell.
He’s called on Lord Mayor Jeff McCloy to stand aside following revelations at ICAC that he handed envelops of cash to Newcastle and Charlestown MPs Tim Owen and Andrew Cornwell to fund their 2011 election campaigns. Mr Cloy will give his version of events at the ICAC tomorrow.
Mr Robertson told the gathered media, a Labor government would re-open the rail line into Newcastle. This could prove difficult with the state government planning to truncate the line on Boxing Day this year.
He was in Newcastle on Wednesday morning “unveiling” his two Labor candidates for the vacated seats of Newcastle and Charlestown. By-elections will be held in both seats later this year. A date for the by-elections hasn’t been set.
Newcastle councillor Tim Crakanthorp will contest the seat of Newcastle while Lake Macquarie Mayor Jodie Harrison will stand for Charlestown.
