Geoff Kettle dismisses Goulburn tilt

“I am not thinking about it because because the cons far outweigh the pros for me at the moment,” he said.

Mr Kettle said he was enjoying his current role as a business consultant to companies such as Gunlake Quarries and Tribe Breweries, and felt he had a commitment to them.

He also ruled out running as an independent at the March poll, saying it would split the conservative vote and hand victory to the Labor Party.

But he expected the Nationals to be eyeing off the seat given the Coalition agreement that forbids the Nats and Liberals running each other in the same seat unless there’s a vacancy.

The Nationals have previously expressed their desire to run in Goulburn.

Mr Kettle resigned from the Liberal Party in 2016 to contest the ACT Legislative Assembly poll but has since rejoined.

Asked whether Ms Goward’s decision this close to the election bolstered Labor candidate Dr Ursula Stephens’ chances, Mr Kettle said: “I’d be a liar if I said no.”

He urged the Liberal Party to pre-select “a known identity with a track record of local delivery.”  

But he praised Ms Goward as an outstanding local member.

“We locked horns when I was Mayor but that’s democracy,” he said.

“I wish her all the best in her next endeavours. She worked hard for NSW, her seat and in her portfolios,” he said.

Meantime The Nationals State Electoral Council chairman for Goulburn, James Harker-Mortlock said the party was considering running a candidate in the seat, however it was unlikely.

"It would be very difficult to get a new candidate up and running in the short time available, however we are reviewing our situation,” he said.

The Nationals had agreed with the Liberals that it would not run a candidate in the upcoming state election, based on the coalition agreement.

Mr Harker-Mortlock said that Goward's retirement did change that situation somewhat.

"The agreement was based on the fact the Pru would be running again. At this stage, we have no plans to change those arrangements, but with the change we are reviewing the situation, as any party would."

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