"I know I'm not going to win."
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That's what Griffith resident Brian Mills said about his prospects for the 2019 NSW election.
He's run several times before, but so far he has never been elected as Member for Murray.
But he has no regrets, since it gives him a chance to get his voice heard in the electorate and raise the issues that are nearest and dearest to him.
"It gives me a chance to debate and get the word out on my policies," Mr Mills said.
Debating these issues always puts a smile on Mr Mills' face, as was seen at the meet-the-candidates forum held by the NSW Business Chamber on February 28.
He handed out a stack of pamphlets on the day outlining his growing wish list for the seat of Murray.
"I currently have 27 policies," Mr Mills said.
"The top five are all on water."
Water security is something Mr Mills can enthusiastically talk about at great length, and for him the NSW election is the best time to do so.
He believes that there are many possibilities for improving the current water crisis, with step one being scrapping the Murray Darling Basin Plan.
The Murray Darling Basin Plan is one of the things that Mr Mills says is responsible for the "decline" of Griffith, which is something he has observed throughout his long lifetime.
Yet despite all the "bad ideas" out there, Mr Mills believes there are many good ideas that could improve the MIA for the better, and that these ideas simply need some exposure for them to flourish.
That's why he puts his hand up for the NSW elections, even when he knows his chances of getting elected are slim to nill.
He believes that running for the seat of Murray is his best chance to start a conversation about policy and get ideas out there in the public sphere.
Although he may not have great confidence in winning the election, Mr Mills is hopeful that by getting his voice heard he can still make a difference.
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