There was a lot of denim and work boots worn at the campaign launch of Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Murray candidate Helen Dalton.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Tuesday supporters gathered at Giuseppe's Restaurant on Banna Avenue to officially launch their bid for the seat of Murray in the upcoming NSW election.
She hopes to seize the throne from Nationals Member for Murray Austin Evans, who narrowly beat Mrs Dalton at last year’s by-election.
Now she’s back with a vengeance, and she still has high hopes of winning the traditionally safe National Party seat of Murray.
“The Nats have become a party of bans, declining services, lockouts and restricted freedoms,” Mrs Dalton said.
“For far too long we have been neglected and have watched good people, essential services, and resources disappear from our region.”
We will not take more of the same crap and broken promises anymore
- Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party candidate Helen Dalton
Her campaign will hinge on two main platforms – keeping more water for irrigators in the Murray Darling Basin and ensuring funding for a new hospital in Griffith gets delivered.
“The only way we’re going to get a new hospital, or keep our water, is if we flush the Nationals away at the ballot box,” Ms Dalton said.
"By flushing out the Nationals we'll send an almighty message to Sydney that we will not take more of the same crap and broken promises anymore."
Ms Dalton remains furious over the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan and intends to make it a key election issue.
“Water policy is a mess and the need for sensible policy is paramount; our electorate needs stronger leadership and sensible visionary policy,” she said.
“You can read about farming and the environment until you’re blue in the face, but until you get dirt under your finger nails you have little understanding.”
She hopes her own credentials as an irrigation farmer and a local will give her an edge against the major parties.
She said she is hopeful Murray will join the “bush revolt”, following the lead of Orange and Wagga in their move towards minor parties.
Mrs Dalton said she was happy when she heard the Nationals confirm $189 million for Griffith Base Hospital, but she remains skeptical whether the long promised money would be delivered any time soon.
“We don’t know what timeline this $189 million is going to be delivered in, and while they delay good people are dying,” she said.
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Monday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.