She was in the city to help launch the local campaign for Country Labor candidate for the seat of Murray Max Buljubasic.

“I’ve come down here today to support Max in his campaign,” Ms Thomson said.

“It’s very important that we get involved with the local campaigns and support our local candidates.”

Mr Buljubasic said he had a busy month ahead of him.

“Obviously it’s my first time as a candidate for Country Labor for the new seat of Murray,” Mr Buljubasic said.

“It’s a big challenge, which I took in October 2014 when I became the official candidate for NSW Country Labor.”

Mr Buljubasic said he would be travelling around the electorate in the coming weeks.

“There are a few issues in Murray which people would like to be dealt with,” he said.

“The water issue – water allocations and water security is a big issue.

“We are fully aware of the issue and we think the way forward on this issue would be building a dam.”

Mr Buljubasic said he supported building a dam at Gundagai or Lake Coolah near Narrandera.

“A dam is crucial for people who are general security water users because they have uncertainty before a season about how much water they will get,” he said.

“It’s a big issue and we will deal with it and work together with all the stakeholders for the best outcome for our farming communities.”

Mr Buljubasic said if farmers were struggling, it affected everyone.

He said Country Labor would also spend more money on hospitals and schools and TAFE colleges across the state.

He said he was pleased the Baird government had been forced to negotiate a better deal for newsagents with the private operator of NSW Lotteries.

“The hard work of local communities and Labor backing our newsagents has forced the Baird Government to the negotiating table with the Tatts Group,” he said.

But he said more needed to be done to protect the rights of newsagents and their future viability across the state.

Mr Buljubasic launched his campaign with family and friends in Griffith yesterday.