![NSW Nationals chairman Bede Burke. NSW Nationals chairman Bede Burke.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-agfeed/2090052.jpg/r0_0_600_400_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
NSW Nationals confirmed last night the party would not contest the ICAC-induced byelections for the seats of Newcastle and Charlestown.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
The Nationals’ declaration follows recent media speculation the party would seek to capitalise on the void created by the Liberals' decision to not contest the by-elections, due on October 25.
Premier Mike Baird ruled out standing candidates following the resignation of two disgraced MPs over property developer donations to their campaign funds.
He said the party had “forfeited our right to represent those electorates” after Newcastle’s Tim Owen and Charlestown’s Andrew Cornwell admitted they received banned donations to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
Last night, a meeting of NSW Nationals central executive committee determined the party would not stand candidates in the byelections.
NSW Nationals chairman Bede Burke said the party would “focus its resources and energy on the upcoming state election”.
Newcastle and Charlestown are not technically regional seats and do not have existing branch structures, and the party would not jeopardise the Coalition by going out on its own, Mr Burke said.
“We have a very strong arrangement in place with our coalition partners.”