Three women are running for NSW Parliament. A male serial pest wants to stop them
Three women have emerged as frontrunners in the battle for a seat in NSW Parliament – but a serial pest with a history of misogynist comments wants to stop them.
The race to replace Gareth Ward and become the first woman to hold the seat of Kiama is a battle among Labor’s Katelin McInerney, Liberal former councillor Serena Copley and teal independent Kate Dezarnaulds. The Greens also chose a woman, Tonia Gray, as their candidate.
Andrew Thaler is suspended from Snowy Monaro Council. Credit: The Sydney Morning Herald
Andrew Thaler has twice been suspended from his role as Snowy Monaro councillor for his offensive language and has called a fellow councillor a “fat, dumb blonde”. He thinks he’s the perfect candidate to stop another woman from getting a seat in Macquarie Street.
“People are sick of the women and woke agenda,” Thaler said.
“A characterisation is the Kiama byelection is a contest against four women … it’s disgusting that is how the media wants to characterise it.”
Asked why he was inspired to run, Thaler said, “I’ve got a bit of spare time” while suspended from council.
Independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds will be running in the byelection.Credit: Janie Barrett
He doesn’t believe his history of unsavory comments, including calling women fat, bitches and cows, will hurt his chances in Kiama.
One thing Thaler doesn’t have yet is the 25 supporting signatures needed from Kiama locals to nominate as an independent. He has asked his social media followers to fill out a form in support. Nominations close next Thursday, and voters will go to the polls on September 13.
Thaler lives in Nimmitabel, where he has been banned from multiple businesses, a museum and the Country Women’s Association for his behaviour. Even so, he was elected to council with 111 first-preference votes.
Labor’s McInerney could very well be the first woman elected as member for Kiama. In the previous election, she narrowly lost to Ward, who was returned to his position despite the looming sexual abuse charges.
His conviction last month triggered the byelection.
Labor is throwing significant resources behind their campaign – Premier Chris Minns has already visited the electorate three times spruiking road funding and build-to-rent homes.
This weekend a caravan of NSW Labor ministers will descend on the electorate to campaign for McInerney, a former journalist. Minns last week said winning the seat “feels like Everest”.
Berry businesswoman Dezarnaulds said the front-runner candidates all respect one another and that she wants the election to focus on policy and ideas.
“The South Coast community want local voices to shape local decisions and after the turbulence of the last few years are looking forward to respectful debate and genuine representation,” she said.
Liberal leader Mark Speakman said winning back the seat will be “an incredible task”. Ward was a Liberal member and former minister in the Gladys Berejiklian government before the party expelled him.
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