Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has released a statement the day before the local government election criticising incumbent Labor councillors and the Greens party.

Gareth Ward recently announced his collaboration with Yasmin Tatrai with a petition for the return to taxi services in Kiama. Tatrai is running as an independent after striking out her Liberal affiliation on her candidate form, according to the Illawarra Mercury.

Ward has called out Labor councillors for their ‘no paid parking’ campaigning when minutes of a Kiama Council meeting revealed that Councillor Imogen Draisma voted for a working group to investigate paid parking within the Kiama region.

“If I was against something, I wouldn’t be looking into it. I would oppose it… You just can’t trust Labor,” Ward says.

Ward has urged his constituents to vote for independent parties and avoid casting a vote on candidates in the Greens or Labor parties.

“We need more local champions not political hacks that simply respond like robots to party directives.”

“You only need [to] look at the mess that the Greens and Labor have left in Shoalhaven. 44% rate increase proposals, millions wasted on failed projects, grants returned to government unspent, DAs later than ever, staffing blow outs, service cuts and constant infighting,” Ward continued.

None of the candidates are running under the Liberal banner this upcoming election. Mark Croxford and Mike Cains did state their party affiliation as Liberals, but are both running under their own team names, Your Community Candidates and A Fresh Start Kiama, respectively.

Election day is today and the polls are open between 8am - 6pm. Find out more about where you can vote.