Labor hopeful Shane Broad is interested in long-term planning for a better future, rather than what he calls “silly political games”.
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The agricultural scientist, UTAS lecturer and Central Coast Cr confirmed on Tuesday he would contest a recount of votes from 2014 in an attempt to take the Braddon seat vacated by ex-state Labor leader Bryan Green.
It is not yet known if former Labor MHA Brenton Best will also contest the recount.
If he does, it will be a two-way battle; otherwise, Dr Broad will take the seat.
Mr Best has said that if he returned to parliament it would be as “independent Labor,” and he would not be bound by Labor’s policies.
Asked what he would want to push if he took the seat, Dr Broad said agriculture was a passion (he would likely get that shadow portfolio), and he also wanted to work towards a longer term approach.
He said much of politics was “all about today or maybe this week; it’s about how can I get on top tonight after the news”.
“What I’d like is to be part of a team that looks over the horizon for the next 10 years, 20 years and talks to the community about where we want to go and how to get there.”
He said Central Coast had long-term financial and asset management plans.
”If we get agreement with the community on where we want to go (having the plans) makes it easier to make decisions from day to day,” he said.
“That’s what I’d like to be part of … rather than the cut and thrust of silly political games.”
He said he loved his work at UTAS and had learned much at the council.
He would need to leave both if he entered parliament.
“It’s too good an opportunity to miss and I think I would always regret it if I didn’t (contest the recount),” he said.
“If I can be part of a Labor renewal, it would be worth it.”
He said he and new Labor Leader Rebecca White had spoken about renewal in the party since they first met.
Ms White welcomed his recount decision.
“Shane would be an excellent member of parliament and a strong voice for the North-West Coast,” Ms White said.