It has been a big day for Cootamundra’s Charlie Sheahan, first receiving official notification of his seat on Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council and this afternoon announced as the Country Labor candidate for the Cootamundra by-election.
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Mr Sheahan has called the district home his whole life.
He manages a farm, and with wife Sue has raised three children in Cootamundra.
Mr Sheahan is an active member of his community.
He is a former president of the local Lions Club and volunteer firefighter with the Rural Fire Service.
“I’m honoured to be selected as Country Labor’s candidate for the upcoming by-election,” Mr Sheahan said.
This is the second time he has ran for the seat, going up against former Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson in 2015 and pegging back some of the large margin she had in the seat.
It is following Ms Hodgkinson’s resignation that the seat is up for grabs now.
“Cootamundra needs someone who understands the local area and who will fight against the privatisation of regional hospitals and forced council mergers,” Mr Sheahan said.
“Cootamundra needs someone who will fight for local jobs and better aged care, especially home care,” he continued.
NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley said Mr Sheahan understands the community and has the determination to fight for a better deal for the people of the Cootamundra electorate.
With council results also released today, and a number of vocal anti-merger supporters making the grade, Mr Foley ascertained constituents are continuing to reject the forced council amalgamation policy.
“I want, and the community wants, the state government to conduct a plebiscite with voters participating in the upcoming by-election on whether they want their council to remain merged,” Mr Foley said.
He committed that Labor would allow local plebiscites on de-merging these councils, including Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.
Meanwhile, Stephanie Cooke has been announced as the Nationals candidate and Matthew Stadtmiller will run for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
Voters will head to the polls on Saturday, October 14.
