Former NRL star pulls out on the same day that NSW Greens unveiled policy to lower voting age to 16
Photograph: Lukas Coch/AAPThe former Canberra Raiders captain Terry Campese has pulled out as Labor’s candidate for the New South Wales seat of Monaro after a series of reports into his behaviour.
The charity founder and former rugby league player was an outside chance of taking the seat at the March state election – Monaro was formerly held by former Nationals leader John Barilaro from 2011 until his retirement in 2021.But after weeks of media attention, including over a scandalous party and how he came to be selected as Labor’s candidate, Campese has now withdrawn.
“I have come to realise that, for some, politics is not about representing people but about their own power with a ‘win at all costs’ mentality,” he said. “[I will stand down] not because my heart isn’t in it but because I love this community too much to drag it through the media – whether [media reports] are truthful or not.
“However, I will continue to serve my community in the same way I have over the last decade, through the work of my foundation and other charities.”
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