Time for a new Member, says Chamber

In sending its condolences to Ms Kathy Smith, the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce said it was time for the Gosford to have a Member of Parliament that would "go into bat for the community".

"This is a very sad time for Kathy Smith," said Chamber president Mr Matthew Wales.

"I've met Kathy a couple of times and, from the business community's point of view, it is very sad she has had to resign and obviously a very difficult time for her and her family," Mr Wales said.

However, he said the decision was not unexpected and the Chamber believed the by-election would take place within the next six-to-eight weeks.

"This community needs to be adequately represented and sadly the Seat of Gosford has not had satisfactory representation, through no fault of Kathy's, for some time," Mr Wales said.

"Now the community needs to get an MP who is prepared to go into bat for them," he said.

Mr Wales said he believed the forced amalgamation of Gosford with Wyong Council would have a bearing on the election although most people were supportive of the amalgamation."

"We should all be very careful about how the Government decision has impacted on the community.

"A lot of people are still upset about the closure of the Woy Woy RMS," he said.

"Any front line services taken away or modified is a negative and that has also been reflected in the Government's recently-announced changes to the Local Court at Woy Woy.

"This is another example of the Government not listening to the community and chipping away at our services in a way the community believes it is not entitled to do," he said.

Mr Wales said he did not belong to any political party and would not consider running as an independent in the by-election.

Interview, 15 Feb 2017

Matthew Wales, Peninsula Chamber of Commerce

Reporter: Jackie Pearson