Gerry Moore, who is well known in local Aboriginal and business circles, makes no bones about the tough task ahead if he does get the blessing of local party members. By the time the next election rolls around, the Liberals will have held Gilmore for two decades. 

However, their hold on the seat was diminished significantly at the last election, bucking the national landslide that swept Labor from office, which means – theoretically at least – it is within striking distance. Much will hinge on this budget, which we are told will be dull but fair, and the one that follows next year. 

Should he be chosen to stand for Labor, much of Gerry Moore’s battle will be with his own party, whose local membership is ageing and lacks the same energy and organisation of the Liberals. Mr Moore will have to convince the ALP head honchos to plough the necessary resources into the local election battle. 

In successive electoral contests in Gilmore, the disparity between the major parties’ campaign resources has been starkly evident, with the blue corflutes far outnumbering the red ones. 

In the wash-up to the recent NSW election, in which the local sitting Liberals were comfortably returned, albeit with a big swing against them in South Coast, unsuccessful candidate and another possible preselection contender Glenn Kolomeitz reflected on the challenges confronting Labor as its local membership aged.

It is clear then that no matter who is chosen to take on the incumbent, the biggest battle for the ALP between now and the election in 2016 is to reinvigorate its membership and build grassroots support.