Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading

Parties back on NSW campaign trail after missteps

The coalition and Labor will be working to get their NSW election campaigns back on target this weekend after both took hits on Friday.

Most damage was inflicted on the coalition government's already stuttering campaign, with finance minister Damien Tudehope resigning his portfolio after revelations he owned shares in toll road owner, Transurban.

Transurban, which operates most of Sydney's toll roads, reported record half-year earnings of $1.66 billion recently, having collected $835 million from Sydney drivers in six months.

"The events of the last 24 hours have provided an unnecessary distraction for the government at a time when the most important thing for the people of NSW is to be concentrating on the choice before them," Mr Tudehope said.

Also under fire was Liberal MLC Peter Poulos who turned in his parliamentary secretary role days after apologising for sharing 1980s Penthouse images of a female rival during a preselection battle five years ago.

On the Labor side, former Canberra Raiders star Terry Campese left the race for the state seat of Monaro, previously held by ex-Nationals leader John Barilaro.

Mr Campese's exit came after weeks of media attention, including over a scandalous party and how he came to be selected as a candidate.

"(I will stand down) not because my heart isn't in it but because I love this community too much to drag it through the media - whether they are truthful or not," Mr Campese said.

The ex-NRL player's withdrawal comes after Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour withdrew his upper house Labor candidacy last month after scrutiny on his overseas expense claims as a councillor.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.