By Rich Bowden:

NSW Senate candidate Cheryl Kernot has revealed she and her running mate have lodged a split preference ticket, similar to that which used to be practiced by the Australian Democrats.

The former Democrats leader and then ALP member for the Queensland seat of Dickson, told theangle.org she, and her fellow NSW Independent Simon Cant will direct “…our second preference … to the Carers’ Alliance, third to the reconciliation group and then half to the Democrats and half to the Greens.”

Ms Kernot added that if elected, she would look to “…work co-operatively with like-minded Senators.”

Ms Kernot’s late decision to run as a Senate candidate  after saying it would be unlikely she would ever run for office again, comes as a result of encouragement from a number of NSW residents.

“I share their expressed despair at the quality and expense of our current election campaign with its narrow, superficial focus and avoidance of the complex and challenging issues facing us as a nation and a global citizen,”
she said in a July 30 press release.

“This is such an important election and we are much more than a nation defined by a worm’s judgement,” Ms Kernot added.

Running under the slogan “Change Politics!” the candidates said they wished to begin a movement for change in the Parliamentary system, with Ms Kernot saying her previous experience in politics will hold her in good stead.

“I’ve learned a great deal from my previous parliamentary experiences, and I believe I still have something constructive to contribute to Australian political life. Instead of just commenting, I am willing to “have a go” in this last phase of my working life,” Ms Kernot said.

The decision to split preferences could have a crucial impact on the outcome of the sixth NSW Senate contest between Ms Kernot, the Nationals and the Greens.

Tags: australian politics, change politics, cheryl kernot, election 2010, Greens, nationals, simon cant