The following email turned in my inbox this afternoon from an Elizabeth Scully, a minor apparatchik at the ALP’s Sussex St. NSW headquarters. I am in Eden-Monaro and I guess that they must be just playing it for laughs!

Dear Member,

NSW FEDERAL PRESELECTIONS

The National Executive of the ALP at its meeting on Tuesday 1st May made the following decisions in relation to Federal Preselections:

The National Executive of the ALP has called for nominations for the following NSW Federal Seats: Blaxland, Charlton, Eden Monaro, Fowler, Hughes, Lindsay, Paterson, Robertson, Throsby, Wentworth.

The timetable to be as follows:

Nominations Open: Tuesday 1st May 2007 at 12 noon

Nominations Close: Friday 4th May 2007 at 5.00 pm

Ballot by the ALP National Executive: Saturday 5th May 2007 between 12 noon and 1.00pm at the offices of the Victorian Branch ALP, 360 King Street, West Melbourne

Nomination Fee: $500 for held ALP seats and $250 for other seats

All nominations must be on the official NSW Branch ALP Nomination Form which can be obtained from the NSW Branch Office.

Nominations will be accepted by the NSW Branch ALP General Returning Officer at the ALP NSW Branch Office, Level 9, 377–383 Sussex St, Sydney on behalf of the National ALP Returning Officer.

Candidates can provide a written statement by email with their nomination to be circulated by the ALP National Secretary to members of the ALP National Executive.