The forum was hosted by the NSW Farmers Association, with president Fiona Simson chairing the event.

The night was a chance for locals to pose the tough questions to the four candidates in attendance who are running for the newly rezoned seat of Murray.

The candidates who fielded the questions, from the 40 strong crowd, comprised of three independents and current member for Murrumbidgee Adrian Piccoli.

Independent Atul Misra, who is also a practicing physician, is a native of India and has lived in Australia for 12 years.

He said he would remain a doctor if he were elected for the seat of Murray.

“I would like to bring more specialists to Griffith, everything comes from education. Why can’t we have a good private school here, why should they go to another area,” Dr Misra said.

Mr Piccoli said the NSW government had done a good job over the past four years and had plans for the next four if reelected.

“In terms of major portfolio areas in health and education and the pressure that needs to be put on the Commonwealth around the Murray Darling Basin Plan, we will continue to work on those,” Mr Piccoli said. 

Helen Dalton only recently started her campaign as an independent but being a farmer herself knows the issues that are significant to the community.

“Years of neglect have seen our region decline, job losses, many leaving town, and the mental stress from running a business. Water access is vitally important, we need irrigation allocations that are secured in a timely manner,” Ms Dalton said.

Independent Brian Mills rounded out the introductions for the night, deciding it was time to stand up for his region and aligned his views to that of the Country Party.

“A year ago I decided it was time to challenge in the political arena. In 1970 that was a time when the country party was developing our country,” Mr Mills said.

“On the basis of protection of country people, we were moving froward.”