‘Dark days’ ahead for NSW

Sex Party candidate for the seat of Sydney, Andrew Patterson, has predicted the election will result in “dark days” for NSW.

“I think for NSW and the people, in terms of civil liberties and progressive social issues, we’re in for some very, very dark years,” he said.

Come election day, he predicted the Coalition would gain most seats in the lower house but voiced concern over their preferential deal with the Christian Democratic Party.

“My worry from a civil liberation perspective is the prospect of having a Coalition with a strong majority in the lower house and having taken control of the upper house in conjunction with the Christian Democrats,” he said.

But if you’re looking to vote for Mr Patterson on Saturday, you’ll be hard pressed to find the party’s name.

The Sex Party failed to register with the electoral commission in time, so despite being endorsed, his name will appear alone on the ballot sheet.

Mr Patterson condemned the registration laws, which require parties to be registered 15 months out from an election and to have 750 members enrolled and signed in with the electoral commissioner.

“Our view is that the registration laws have been designed to keep small parties out,” he said.

But while Mr Patterson believes the system has worked against him and his party, there are another six other candidates battling it out for the seat of Sydney.

Although current MP Clover Moore, who has been involved in politics since 1988, is tipped to regain her seat, this has not stopped her last minute campaign.

Ms Moore has also expressed concern with the potential election outcome and said government needed an “independent” voice.

“If any party has overwhelming control in both houses, the Government can do what it likes without challenge or through deals behind closed door,” she said.

But this has not deterred other key candidates including Greens De Brierely Newton, Liberal Adrian Bartels and Labor Sacha Blumen to fight for her position.

All have voiced tackling alcohol-fuelled violence, transport and planning issues to be at the forefront of their campaigns.

From Adrian’s proposed “conversation cafes”, to De’s proposal to give pedestrians priority on the road, and Sacha’s claim public transport is “pretty good”, the campaign has not been short of interesting policy ideas.

But with a predicted Coalition landslide, the only certain thing we know is that on Sunday, the NSW political sphere will be very different.

The state election is this coming Saturday March 26.

by Sophie Cousins