This Time It's All About Me, Says The Independent Who Squashed A Nat
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 28, 2003
Richard Torbay is a friendly sort of chap. Relentlessly good humoured, he bounces around the seat of Northern Tablelands, in the New England area in the north of the state, like an energetic landlord checking on his tenants.
As the local independent member, Mr Torbay happily lists the things the State Government has thrown his way since he joined the cross benches after snatching the seat from the National Party at the 1999 election Commonwealth research facilities, more police officers and upgraded emergency services facilities.
As one of several independents who won seats at the last election, Mr Torbay is constantly rumoured to be trying to form some sort of coalition of the unaligned but says this would immediately reduce their appeal.
``The difference between the major parties now is the letterhead," Mr Torbay says. ``People want strong local representation and people who seek solutions, not just voice their concern."
The one-time Labor Party member and former mayor of Armidale was convinced by Tony Windsor, the independent federal member whose seat overlaps much of his, that running as an independent was not a waste of time.
``When you're an independent you can't take people for granted," Mr Torbay says.
He cites ``lazy representation" as the reason he got in. And not just by a slim margin.
The National Party had held Northern Tablelands with a 15per cent margin but an adverse reaction to the former MP, Ray Chappell, ``talking tough in the electorate and then coming to Sydney and voting with the Liberals", gave Mr Torbay a swing of 25 per cent, giving him a 9.4per cent margin.
``It was an enormous decision for people in my seat to vote for me. This next election is about me and how I have done. Before, they were saying, `We've got nothing to lose, so give him a go'."
Peter Bailey, the National Party candidate, says his opponent has been unable to address the big issues like hospital funding and job creation because he lacks the clout of a party.
``What impact does one independent have in a Parliament of 93 in terms of changing broad agenda? You can't do anything but be a lone voice," he says.
Mr Bailey, a local businessman, says it is better to be in a party because they ``look after their own".
He concedes he has a tough battle but believes people are willing to listen.
The ``reality of politics", he says, is that people are better off with the big
parties.
HOT SEATS NORTHERN TABLELANDS SITTING MEMBER: Richard Torbay (Independent) 1999 RESULT (Two candidate basis): Independent 59.4% National 40.6% RESIDENTS' VITAL STATISTICS* (%) Under five years 6.42 Aged between 5-14 15.47 Aged 65 and over 13.86 Born overseas 6.86 Born in NES** countries 3.02 Traditional families*** 36.45 Single parent families 12.38 Couples (no children ) 39.37 Family income below $500pw 28.04 Family income above $2000pw 5.16 Unemployment rate 9.0 Women in workforce 44.68 Tertiary education qualifications 15.81 Highest qual. year 10 or below 39.78 Own or buying home 65.95 Take public transport to work 1.03 Two (or more) car households 43.81 Internet users 30.51 *BASED ON 2001 CENSUS ** NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING *** TWO ADULT FAMILY WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN SOURCE: NSW STATE ELECTION 2003: ELECTORATE PROFILES BY MARK D'ARNEY
© 2003 Sydney Morning Herald
