‘‘Is Bart Bassett planning to run as an Independent candidate at the upcoming state election?’’ was the question spilling from the mouths of locals last week.
The Gazette heard from residents from Bligh Park to Wilberforce and Kurrajong to Grose Vale, who said they received a polling phone call on the evening of Thursday, February 12, about how they plan to vote in the Hawkesbury electorate at next month’s state election.
Those who took the call said Mr Bassett, current Londonderry MP, was mentioned as a hypothetical Independent candidate and were asked whether they would vote for him and if last year’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) hearing had affected their view of Mr Bassett or that of the Liberal Party.
The Gazette spoke with two separate residents who said the questions asked of them were along the lines of: if an election was called tomorrow who would you vote for? (Dominic Perrottet, Liberal; Barry Calvert, Labor; Danielle Wheeler, Greens or other); If the situation changed who would you vote for? (Dominic Perrottet, Barry Calvert, Danielle Wheeler or Bart Bassett, Independent); do you think each candidate is favourable or not? (listed them) and has the ICAC investigation impacted on your view of the Liberal Party or Bart Bassett?
The poll didn’t name Hawkesbury’s Independent candidate Kate Mackaness.
Upon contacting polling company ReachTEL, the Gazette was told by a spokesperson that the poll was issued by a private client and due to privacy could not release specific details such as the number of residents polled and the questions asked.
‘‘All I can say is a poll was conducted in the Hawkesbury region on the evening of February 12,’’ the spokesperson said.
Mr Bassett told the Gazette he had been made aware of the poll by residents after it took place.
‘‘My office wasn’t responsible for it, but in an election campaign with my name recognition in the area, I wouldn’t be surprised other people are doing it,’’ he said.
When asked if he was planning to run as an Independent, Mr Bassett said he had a number of options, but hadn’t made a decision as to what he’d be doing.
While the NSW Liberal Party didn’t respond before deadline, many residents raised suspicion that the poll may have been conducted by the Party itself.
