Geoff Kettle quits Goulburn Liberal Party

The former Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor will only say he has a great deal of thinking to do over coming weeks, including on whether he’ll run as an independent.

Mr Kettle previously met with One Nation Upper House candidate and the party’s NSW leader Mark Latham, sources have confirmed.

Mr Latham also visited Goulburn last November, three weeks before sitting Liberal MP Pru Goward announced her retirement.

Mr Kettle told The Post he was disappointed at missing out on Liberal Party selection for the seat of Goulburn. On Wednesday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that former Boorowa Mayor Wendy Tuckerman would contest the March poll for the Libs.

“I can understand the choice but I don’t necessarily agree with it,” Mr Kettle said.

“I’m disappointed because it’s about electing a local person. Wendy is local and I have a great deal of respect for her but I’m not sure she has the same recognition that I do across the electorate.”

He said he had been a successful Mayor who had tried to work hard for his area, knew the issues and was fourth generation local.

On Wednesday morning Mr Kettle resigned his membership of the party over what he said was his “disappointment and frustration with the process.” He had only rejoined the party in November.

He said his threat to run as an Independent if the Liberal Party didn’t select a known local identity “most probably” harmed his chances.

But he also pointed out he had also previously opposed the government’s greyhound racing ban and council amalgamations.

“Maybe I’ve been too outspoken,” he said. 

On whether he would run as an Independent, Mr Kettle said he had a big decision to make. 

“It will affect my family and my life a great deal because for the past two years I’ve been working on contracts that have basically seen me semi-retire,” he told The Post.

“I have to make up my mind on whether I want to go through a campaign process and if I want to go back to working seven days a week for the electorate.”

Regarding Ms Tuckerman’s chances against Labor’s Dr Ursula Stephens, Mr Kettle believed the former would have to step up to the challenge against a “very well known and very well liked” candidate who had a high profile and had contested the 2015 election against Ms Goward.

But he hoped it would be a campaign fought on the right policy for the electorate rather than a “slanging match.”  

Meantime, Goulburn Liberal Party president Grant Pearce has accused Mr Kettle of inconsistency.

“What is Geoff Kettle doing this week?” he asked.

“He pulled out of the Liberal Party (in 2016) to contest the ACT elections and that fell through. He rejoined the Liberal Party and wasn’t selected as the candidate (for Goulburn) and now he’s doing something else. He seems to be changing with the wind.”

Mr Kettle declined specific response on the claims.

“He has a right to comment but is he commenting on behalf of Grant Pearce or the Liberal Party?”

“Whatever happens, the Liberal Party will have a huge challenge and it doesn't matter whether I’m in the race or not.”