Both major parties have their troubles when they do not allow local members to vote for 'their' candidate.
the ALP have parachuted Kristina Keneally and now Andrew Charlton in relatively safe seats without allowing local members a say. IMHO Keneally is vastly over-rated. She was not rated by local members in the Bennelong by-election. Andrew Charlton on the other hand is a huge talent. An economic advisor to Rudd when he was PM then went into the private sector where he was very successful. (( He is now a multi-millionaire and in charge of Accenture). His great problem like that of the late Doc Evatt is how can he fully represent local constituents.
The Liberal party is going to have a number of electorates where the candidate is selected by only a few men.
It means you are betting big time local members of your party will accept your decision and be at the polling booths to hand out how to vote leaflets etc and not stay home.
It seems to me parachuting people is a seat by seat question. In the ALP problems it would be Fowler no Parramatta maybe.
Parties too many times want the 'wonder' candidates rather than the hardworking local person. In my electorate of Bennolong the ALP have selected Jerome Laxalle whom I have met and am impressed with. however he will only be the hardworking local candidate and you know what. That is fine by me. He might even win!
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