Game On for Farrer
After 25 years under Sussan Ley, the electorate of Farrer is scrambling to find its new champion. The electorate of Farrer has been held by either the Libs or Nats since 1949, but that may soon change. Frustration over the crippling of our irrigated agriculture sector, with a huge reduction in water availability and an explosion in pricing, often freezing out the next generation of farmers, is fuelling the winds of change. In her time as the elected member for Farrer, Ley has never voted against the majority of the party.
The Milthorpe camp last week welcomed endorsements from federal independents Helen Haines and David Pocock.
“Helen Haines and David Pocock have demonstrated what effective independent representation looks like,” Ms Milthorpe said.
“Helen’s work securing integrity reforms and consistently advocating for regional communities, and David’s ability to bring people together to achieve tangible outcomes on accountability and fairness, show what is possible when representatives answer to people rather than party rooms.”
Milthorpe said independent representation matters because it allows our real stories, about water, healthcare, childcare, cost pressures and the future of our towns, to be taken directly to decision-makers, without being filtered or softened to suit party politics.
One Nation has whittled its pool of 85 prospective candidates down to just three people with strong credentials. David Farley, Leigh Wolki and Guy Cooper will contest the ON candidacy in a pre-selection meeting at the Albury Convention Centre from 9am on 7 March.
Farley, a Narrandera-based agribusiness professional, has had an international career spanning decades, working in the United States, Africa and even the former Soviet Union, as well as Australia. Farley has an expert understanding of water reform in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Wolki an Albury-based small business owner and mother-of-three has a significant background in agriculture and operating small businesses which showcase the best the region has to offer.
Boeill Creek-based Cooper, comes from a farming family established in the Farrer area for five generations. Currently working as an agribusiness relationship manager, his whole life has been spent working in one of Farrer's most important industries.
Party leader Senator Pauline Hanson said interest in standing for One Nation in Farrer had been overwhelming.
"There's been a tremendous effort by our party reviewing more than 80 applications in such a short time, and the contest has now come down to a final three," Senator Hanson said. "I acknowledge and thank everyone who put their hand up."
Labor appears to be sitting this one out, while the Libs and the Nats are eerily quiet on the options for the coalition to retain the seat.
If you’re like me and often don’t know a politician's voting history or where they stand on issues, this website could be handy: theyvoteforyou.org.au
On the site, you can find how a politician has voted in the past, and even who their voting history closely aligns with.
