THE LNP'S George Christensen is off to a flying start in the race to claim the Federal seat of Dawson, with betting agencies listing him as a hot favourite.
It's expected to be a tight race but Cr Christensen has bolted out of the gates with Sportingbet and Centrebet both putting him ahead of the pack, at $1.70 and $1.66 respectively.
Both agencies have ALP candidate Mike Brunker a length behind at $2.10, while the Green's Jonathan Dykyj is out at $26 and Independent Robert Jameson at $51.
Family First candidate Damian Herrington is rated a long shot, with Centrebet listing him at $61.
The seat by seat betting market was launched yesterday. Sportingbet Australia chief executive officer Michael Sullivan said anything could happen in Dawson following the retirement of sitting member James Bidgood.
“We've got the Liberal National's George Christensen favourite at $1.70 to win Dawson but we expect punters to flood in and tell us whether we have got it right,” he said.
While the race for Dawson is tight, both Cr Brunker and Cr Christensen are odds on to wind up their council duties today at least for the election period.
Both have requested leave, which is probably to be approved when put to the vote at Whitsunday and Mackay council meetings today.
Although punters betting on the election may be in line for a windfall, Crs Brunker and Christensen say they won't be lining their pockets during the election period.
Cr Brunker said he had requested a leave of absence without pay, while Cr Christensen vowed to donate his pay during the campaign to charity.
Cr Christensen said he was yet to select the charity, but Cr Brunker expected his opponent's donations would be tax deductible. “If he does want to do that he can get a tax deduction he is misleading the public,” Cr Brunker said.
However, Cr Christensen was perplexed about how Cr Brunker could have his mayoral allowance suspended.
He said, “The advice that I got... is that it can't be done without a change to the (Local Government) remuneration policy”.
But Cr Brunker said the Local Government Association had advised him otherwise.
“I think George is just making excuses,” he said. “At the end of the day, if you don't want to get paid you don't get paid.”
A query to Local Government Minister Desley Boyle yesterday resolved the debate. She said a mayor or councillor could notify their CEO to withhold payment for a specified period.
The number one focus for Crs Brunker and Christensen and their opponents is now to win over the 94,151 enrolled Dawson voters ahead of the August 21 poll.
It's expected to be a tight race but Cr Christensen has bolted out of the gates with Sportingbet and Centrebet both putting him ahead of the pack, at $1.70 and $1.66 respectively.
Both agencies have ALP candidate Mike Brunker a length behind at $2.10, while the Green's Jonathan Dykyj is out at $26 and Independent Robert Jameson at $51.
Family First candidate Damian Herrington is rated a long shot, with Centrebet listing him at $61.
The seat by seat betting market was launched yesterday. Sportingbet Australia chief executive officer Michael Sullivan said anything could happen in Dawson following the retirement of sitting member James Bidgood.
“We've got the Liberal National's George Christensen favourite at $1.70 to win Dawson but we expect punters to flood in and tell us whether we have got it right,” he said.
While the race for Dawson is tight, both Cr Brunker and Cr Christensen are odds on to wind up their council duties today at least for the election period.
Both have requested leave, which is probably to be approved when put to the vote at Whitsunday and Mackay council meetings today.
Although punters betting on the election may be in line for a windfall, Crs Brunker and Christensen say they won't be lining their pockets during the election period.
Cr Brunker said he had requested a leave of absence without pay, while Cr Christensen vowed to donate his pay during the campaign to charity.
Cr Christensen said he was yet to select the charity, but Cr Brunker expected his opponent's donations would be tax deductible. “If he does want to do that he can get a tax deduction he is misleading the public,” Cr Brunker said.
However, Cr Christensen was perplexed about how Cr Brunker could have his mayoral allowance suspended.
He said, “The advice that I got... is that it can't be done without a change to the (Local Government) remuneration policy”.
But Cr Brunker said the Local Government Association had advised him otherwise.
“I think George is just making excuses,” he said. “At the end of the day, if you don't want to get paid you don't get paid.”
A query to Local Government Minister Desley Boyle yesterday resolved the debate. She said a mayor or councillor could notify their CEO to withhold payment for a specified period.
The number one focus for Crs Brunker and Christensen and their opponents is now to win over the 94,151 enrolled Dawson voters ahead of the August 21 poll.
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