Labor prepare for last-ditch defence

Australian Energy Market Commission advisor Sacha Blumen is currently the only Labor candidate for the State seat of Sydney for the 2011 election.

Labor preselection has not been announced yet, but it is unlikely anyone else will step forward for the position.

The Greens have chosen Glebe communications consultant De Brierley Newton and the Liberal Party have selected businessman Adrian Bartels as their candidates to take on Independent MP Clover Moore next March.

“Running for any election, or even contemplating it is a very big ask and I thought long and hard about this,” said Dr Blumen.

Despite focusing on the preselection, Dr Blumen has a list of local issues on his agenda to address if given the opportunity.

“I think that it is very important that in the inner city we target spending well . . . government needs to have well fought out plans with transport (and) infrastructure and deliver on those plans,” he said.

Dr Blumen said that if elected, protecting residential amenities, particularly in Kings Cross would be a high priority.

“In Kings Cross, residents have had to battle with licensed premises that have wanted to open for longer hours and have greater numbers of patrons without taking into account that these people are drinking and making a lot of noise,” he said.

In addition to noise, Dr Blumen would like to address to issue of drunken violence in city areas.

“I think that the State government and the Council need to be able to consider all sorts of tools to address the problems,” he said.

Similarly to the Council’s desire to close venues in entertainment precincts at midnight, Dr Blumen didn’t rule out the option.

“If I am a candidate, then I may be able to have more detail about that,” he said.

But recent polls suggest a large percentage of people oppose the idea.

Despite current disenchantment with the NSW Labor Party after a spate of controversies, Dr Blumen said he would strive to renew people’s confidence.

“I think that all governments should be socially liberal and should only interfere in individual lives if necessary,” he said.

Although a challenge ahead, he said no election is clear-cut and he shouldn’t be ruled out just yet.

“No election is a sure thing at all. Every election is always up for grabs,” he said.

The State election will be held on 26 March next year.

By Sophie Cousins