BY IAN CROUCH
Two former Cessnock councillors are leading a class action against the Liberal Party over the botched pre-selection Local Government saga last year.
Court documents show John Moores and Paul Paynter are the lead plaintiffs in the Supreme Court class action.
It comes after dozens of NSW Liberal candidates were not able to run in local elections last year after the state Liberal branch failed to meet a crucial pre-selection deadline.
The former councillors say the damage they suffered included the loss of councillor fees as well as distress and disappointment.
In a Statement Of Claim filed with the court, the councillors claim they were each required to pay a nomination fee $1200 for each winnable position on council and a $2000 donation to the Liberal Party toward the Cessnock City Council election campaign.
A directions hearing is scheduled for this Friday, May 16 2025.
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| Former Cessnock Councillors John Moores (left) and Paul Paynter (right) Picture courtesy Inside Local Government |
