ORP and LDP NSW

The Liberal Democratic Party in NSW has joined up with the Outdoor Recreation Party (ORP) to run in the next NSW state election, in March 2011.

The ORP had its roots in the New South Wales 4WD movement.  Considerable success was achieved in getting a member elected to the Legislative Council (the NSW Upper House) at the 1999 State Election.

However subsequent changes to the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912 have made it very difficult for small parties to succeed.

As a result the party’s Executive concluded that a merger with a like-minded party made the most sense. That ultimately led to a proposal to merge with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

The LDP shares the ORP’s ambitions in relation to access to national parks. It also supports less regulation, greater personal responsibility and lower taxes, all values that are consistent with those of the ORP.

There is additional synergy since the LDP happens to be registered for Federal elections but not for NSW, whilst the ORP is registered for the State but not Federally. The two parties will share resources and knowledge, but their electoral focus remains distinct.

A separate website for the ORP is under development.