Shouts from the desert

As a resident of the suburb of Epping in Sydney, together with my neighbours and residents of surrounding suburbs, I have to vote at least four times over the next 12 months, and possibly six. The first, today's, is a council by-election for Ward C of Hornsby Shire.

The deceased councillor being replaced was nominally independent, but as so often happens in local government was actually a member of a party masquerading as an independent. In this case he was a member of the Christian Democrats.

Two weeks ago - after plans for today's by-election had been made and nominations taken - another of our 'C' ward councillors died, so we will now have a second council by-election in either February or April. This time the deceased councillor was an ALP councillor.

In March the whole of New South Wales has a State election, and of course there is the Federal election in the second half of 2007.

The ALP have preselected Nicole Campbell for the State seat of Epping. Campbell contested the Federal seat of Bennelong in 2001 and 2004, and has not ruled out contesting Bennelong in 2007. If she were to win Epping, then contest Bennelong, she would have to resign from her seat in the New South Wales Parliament to qualify to nominate for Bennelong, forcing a by-election for Epping.

The suburb of Epping is also in the Federal seat of Bennelong - the Prime Minister's seat. If he wins Bennelong but his party loses power he will almost certainly resign from Parliament immediately, forcing a by-election for Bennelong.

That's a confirmed four and a possible six:

1. Confirmed - Council by-election #1
2. Confirmed - Council by-election #2
3. Confirmed - New South Wales General Election
4. Confirmed - Federal General Election
5. Possible - By-election for the State seat of Epping if Campbell wins Epping and contests Bennelong
6. Possible - By-election for the Federal seat of Bennelong if the John Howard wins Bennelong but the Liberals lose Government, and Howard resigns