“MY HEART belongs in my electorate”.
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Those are the words of current Member for Farrer Sussan Ley, who is bidding to retain her seat at this year’s Federal Election for the Liberal Party.
The Farrer electorate now includes Leeton shire, with Mrs Ley confident she will be able to get the job done, despite the area she represents growing as a result of the boundary changes.
Mrs Ley is also the current Minister for Health, Sport and Aged Care.
She has been the Member for Farrer since 2001.
Before then she worked as an outback pilot, shearer’s cook and was a farmer for 17 years.
“I like to think I have dirt under my nails and I’ll always want it to be that way,” Mrs Ley said.
“I understand the lives farmers have and what their issues are.”
However, Mrs Ley said she was also aware that issues differed from town-to-town.
“I know issues can be different in Leeton compared to Griffith, Darlington Point and Coleambally,” she said.
Mrs Ley is based in Albury and hoped to spend as much time as possible in her vehicle travelling throughout the electorate should she win the seat again.
She was in Leeton on Thursday to meet with Leeton Shire Council, as well as the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia.
It was then off to Griffith on Friday before spending the weekend at the Riverina Field Days.
I like to think I have dirt under my nails and I’ll always want it to be that way. I understand the lives farmers have and what their issues are.
- Member for Farrer Sussan Ley
Mrs Ley believed the biggest issue facing the region was the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
She said her experience in parliament and as minister held her in good standing.
“I know where to go to get something done,” Mrs Ley said.
While Mrs Ley has represented the Farrer electorate for many years, she said she never took an election for granted.
“The first time I won, it was only by 206 votes,” she said.
“I never take anything for granted.
“Every time I have ran there have been seven people contesting the seat, so I’m sure it will be the same this time around.”
As Mrs Ley has ministerial responsibilities as part of the election campaign, she hoped to spend as much time in the electorate in the lead up to July 2.