MEDIA RELEASE
From Mrs Jan Ward, Independent candidate standing for the Ward of Jacksons Creek Ward
Truth and politics
Rumours are circulating that candidates are being threatened over their choice of preferences. It seems that the council elections in Sunbury are attracting as much attention and generating as much intrigue as the recent political circuses in the USA and New Zealand. Have deals been done behind closed doors? Why are some candidates sulking in the corner? Is the recent electorate taste for change of the old incumbents looking to be repeated in Sunbury and, in particular, in the previously peaceful and quiet Ward of Jacksons Creek? Concern has been raised about preference deals and how independent our independent candidates actually are.
As an independent candidate, Mrs Jan Ward is adamant that she is not aligned to any party. Jan Ward acknowledges that she has had private discussions with various candidates, including Cr Jack Ogilvie and Mr Steve “Jack” Medcraft about preferences. Seasoned campaigner and current incumbent Cr Ogilvie approached Jan Ward offering to place her as his second preference on his “how to vote” card, with “Jack” Medcraft as his third preference. He asked that Jan Ward give him – Cr Ogilvie – her second preference.
“I was happy to have Cr Ogilvie’s endorsement as his second preference”, Jan Ward said. “And, I was happy to endorse him as my second preference. However, I am running as an independent and, in my view, an independent is just that: – independent. I did not realise that a discussion about preferences was a deal and that I was somehow aligned to a party by having such a discussion”. Jan Ward said that entering into preference arrangements is a normal part of politics. Over the course of the campaign period, she has had discussions with and assessed the other candidates to determine the best preference options for her to settle on. It was only after Cr Ogilvie reneged on his deal to have Jan Ward as his second preference that Jan then reconsidered discussions with other candidates about the giving of preferences. Jan Ward said she is not an “endorsed member of the Sunbury Residents’ Association” and, as such, she is not “toeing a party line”. “My first priority,” Jan Ward said, “my only priority, are the residents of Sunbury, Bulla, Wildwood, Oaklands Junction and Yuroke - Jacksons Creek Ward and what is best for them. After careful consideration of the candidates, I decided to give my second preference to Mr Medcraft and my third preference to Cr Ann Potter. Of course, I am continuing my campaign in the hope that the residents will see me as the best candidate in the election and that I will have the honour and privilege of serving the residents of Jacksons Creek Ward on Council.”
Rumours of threats, intimidation and dishonesty around preferences have caused Jan Ward a great deal of distress. Jan Ward said that she was extremely upset and concerned at inferences that she was not honest in her dealings with other candidates about the making of preferences. Jan Ward states that she is not hiding anything from the residents of Jacksons Creek Ward. She says, “Preferences is not the main game. The preferences that I nominate are about where the votes for me go if I am not successful in my campaign. The residents in my Ward are concerned about what Day procedures will be available at our Hospital, our Parking crisis and the continual investment into the future of our Ward and I intend taking up their concerns in Council if (or when) I am elected”, said Jan Ward.
Jan Ward refused to be drawn into questions about allegations made about her and threats rumoured to have been made against her and her husband by other candidates. “It would be extremely petty and small-minded of another candidate to threaten me, my husband, my business or anyone I am associated with, over the issue of preferences,” said Jan Ward. “If the paper wishes to report such things, I suggest that they go to the candidates supposed to have made these threats and ask them to provide the details.”
For further details on this issue, please contact Jan Ward’s Campaign Manager: Mrs Fi Corboy on 0413 222 385.
