A new political group on the NSW south coast has had its hopes of participating in the upcoming council elections dashed, after filing incorrect registration paperwork.
The Shoalhaven Community First group — led by Councillor Nina Digiglio, a prominent anti-vaccination advocate — planned to nominate seven candidates for the local government elections on December 4, including Cr Digiglio.
According to its website the group's mission is "to have successfully elected representatives" in Shoalhaven City Council.
But an oversight in the nomination process has rendered the group ineligible and cost candidates their spots on the ballot paper.
"To be honest, I am a little bit devastated and so is the team," Cr Digiglio said.
"My personality, I am a very big-picture person, personally I missed a detail and I have to own up to that."
Under NSW Electoral Commission rules candidates who are members of an independent party must secure nominations from at least two electors within the ward they plan to run in.
The paperwork, which was filed on the day of the nomination deadline, failed to satisfy the criteria and the candidates' nominations were rejected.
Anti-vax discrimination claim
Cr Digiglio said when she went to the Electoral Commission office in Worrigee, near Nowra, to try to rectify the mistake, she was not allowed to enter the building because of her vaccination status.
"I was not allowed in the premises … because I am not vaccinated," she said.
The former Greens councillor said she was likely to lose her job as a registered nurse over her refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
"I will be losing my job, I am on leave at the moment," she said.
"I have very strong beliefs."
The Shoalhaven Community First group's website has shared anti-vaccine content produced by high-profile sceptics such as American podcaster Joe Rogan and conspiracy group Reignite Democracy Australia.
The party claims the "factual and alternate topical links" are provided "to assist with making an informed decision on this topic".
NSW Health deputy secretary Susan Pearce said the state was on track to hit the 90 per cent double-vaccination milestone in coming days.
All of Australia's chief health officers, as well as local and international leading immunologists and epidemiologists, have deemed the COVID vaccines to be safe.
'I'm still running for mayor'
Councillor Digiglio is still eligible to run for mayor, as the role is a popularly elected position.
She has promised to continue to grow Shoalhaven Community First outside of politics.
"I spoke to the team, we are not a political party, we are still going to do projects on the ground, and we have ways of bouncing back — we are quite resilient," she said.
The NSW Electoral Commission has been contacted for comment.
