Wales 'shocked' by newspaper article

Independent candidate for Gosford Ms Debra Wales said she was "shocked" by the "unprofessional behavior" of a regional newspaper journalist following the publication of an article which raised the question of an alleged conflict of interest.

Ms Wales said the journalist and newspaper did a "disservice to the community" in publishing the article.

The article, by journalist Ms Alison Branley in the Central Coast Express Advocate, stated that Ms Wales had denied a conflict of interest over a proposed aged care development at Forresters Beach.

It stated she had released three press releases in a month supporting a proposed $60 million development which was not inside the Gosford electorate.

The article stated that Ms Wales and her husband Matthew Wales together ran Wales and Associates, which had prepared environmental studies on the site for the developer Braedan Riley Investments.

It reported Ms Wales saying that the studies were prepared by her husband and not her.

Ms Wales said: "I was quite shocked by Alison Branley at her unprofessional behavior because I sent a press release on aged care with several points of interest and she set me up."

Ms Wales said it was "disappointing" that Alison Branley "ignored the fact that we have an aged care crisis looming" and that the State government was allowing Woy Woy Public Hospital "to be run down".

"I think Alison Branley and the Express did a disservice to our senior citizens because it's they that miss out.

"And we could have gone into battle for them but it's lost on those who just wanted to undermine my name.

"If that's the best they can come up with, good luck to them."

Central Coast Express Advocate editor Mr Geoff Hawthorne denied the article reflected unprofessional behavior, and said he completely supported journalist Ms Alison Branley.

Ms Branley was not available for comment at the time Peninsula News attempted to contact her.

Clare Graham, 9 March 2007 Lyle Stone, 7 March 2007