Call upon the NSW Nationals to remove Jessica Price-Purnell, Alana Black and Anna O'Brien from the party immediately!

Nationals’ office damaged in by-election brouhaha

SAMANTHA HUTCHINSON
The Australian Newspaper
12:00AM December 6, 2016
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/nationals-office-damaged-in-byelection-brouhaha/news-story/de4211cdd484e02404fd9e8e43ce9e1b

Three Nationals members, ­including a staffer and the chair of the NSW Young Nationals, have forked out for repair costs and have been offered counselling after an emotionally charged rampage through the party’s ­Orange campaign office last month.

NSW Young Nationals chair Jess Price-Purnell, state community engagement officer Alana Black and Anna O’Brien, a staffer for NSW MP Bronnie ­Taylor, have stumped up about $400 in office repairs after celebrations went awry on the evening of the November 12 Orange state by-election.

NSW Nationals state director Nathan Quigley confirmed the office had been damaged in the aftermath of the party’s disastrous vote — in which the ­Nationals suffered a 35 per cent primary vote swing — and that three party members had admitted responsibility for damage ­including a hole in the wall.

“They were junior staff members who had worked their guts for what was a pretty disappointing outcome,” Mr Quigley said. “The damage has been paid for (by the women) and counselling has been made available.”

Senior Nationals members were left fuming at the party’s state council on Friday after learning of the incident.

While the women have been offered counselling, no formal ­action had been taken as yet.

Coffs Harbour MP Andrew Fraser condemned their behaviour at the council meeting on Friday, saying it did not represent the principles of the party he had joined.

Mr Quigley told The Australian an internal investigation was under way, but the party was more concerned about the women’s welfare.

The damage was done at the end of the hard-fought campaign for the seat of Orange, which the Nationals lost to Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Philip Donato by just 50 votes, after a countback.

The Nationals had controlled the central-western NSW seat since the end of World War II and had an advantage of more than 21 per cent from the last state election. But hardline Coalition government policies, including a greyhound racing ban and forced council amalgamations, dissolved the party’s support in a matter of months. The loss prompted party leader and deputy premier Troy Grant to ­resign, but reverberations continue and some MPs are calling for senior Nationals who did not oppose the greyhound ban to be dumped in a cabinet reshuffle now likely in February.

Mr Quigley said the choices of John Barilaro as leader and Niall Blair as deputy were a strong footing for recovering Orange at the 2019 state election.

The three women have been prominent in the Nationals for more than five years. None responded to requests for comment.