Indie pitch for State Nat seat

He is a founding member of the Country Party of Australia (CPA) that’s being established by his brother Peter Mailler to represent farmers and regional Australians in federal parliament.

But Peter Mailler said the CPA was yet to gain the 500 signatures required to achieve formal registration with the Australian Electoral commission (AEC), which ruled them out of running any formal candidates in the upcoming Queensland election or the NSW poll.

However, he said there was an opportunity for the emerging political force to consider endorsing candidates prepared to run “technically” as independents at the NSW election.

“We would consider badging their campaign if they desire,” he said.

“The (CPA) management committee has discussed the election opportunities and determined that it could be useful to increase the pressure on the incumbents by contesting the election this way.

“We could use the party brand to push for a more responsive campaign from the major parties to deliver better outcomes in the NSW electorate.

“The purpose of the Country Party being formed is to be a catalyst for change, elevate the importance of agriculture in the political conscience and stop the rural constituency from being taken for granted.

“Participating in the NSW Election meets these objectives.

“At the same time, it is important that the decision to run is not frivolous and we endorse candidates with capacity and credibility who are also genuinely prepared to win.”

As well as an extensive grain and livestock farming background, David Mailler is also currently studying a bachelor of sustainability majoring in environmental resilience at the University of New England where he’s also president of the Student Association.

The 49-year-old is married with three children and is also a 2011 graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program.

David Mailler told Fairfax Media he was a reluctant political candidate, having been approached to take on the task, but was now filling in the nomination papers and preparing for what’s up ahead.

“I can announce that I will be running as an independent candidate and I’m now putting things in place to make that happen,” he said.

David Mailler said he was running against Mr Marshall, while supporting the CPA’s development, believing the National Party was “welded” to the Liberal party.

“The Nationals really do look like a bunch of Liberals, just dressed in R.M. Williams, and they’re not serving rural Australia’s interests at all,” he said.

Asked to describe himself as a potential politician, Mr Mailler said despite being “very reluctant” he was by nature “duty-bound to care”.

“I’m duty-bound to make a difference,” he said.

“It’s a bit like the old adage - if you’re not part of the solution you’re part of the problem and if you’re going to whinge about a problem, you’ve got to back it up.”

David Mailler said he had 30 years' involvement in agriculture which gave him “great depth of empathy and understanding for what farmers do, simply because I’ve been there”.

He said being married with a young family also heightened his concerns about the future shape of the country, “to protect their future too”.

“I’m worried that we’re going to end up with a used mine site for our landscape in the future rather than a sustainable and productive agricultural system,” he said.

“I really believe we need to start shaking-up our State and federal politicians and particularly the National Party.

“We’ve got to start thinking about what’s best for rural and regional Australia and particularly for agriculture.”

David Mailler said the CPA hadn’t yet achieved official registration with the AEC but running as an independent with endorsement in the State campaign, was “the nest best option”.

He welcomed other candidates, who shared similar views, standing up to nominate and run as independents with CPA endorsement.

“Strength in numbers,” he said.

Peter Mailler – who ran at the 2013 federal election as the number one NSW Senate candidate for Katter’s Australian Party - said the CPA had a high percentage of early members in the Northern Tablelands electorate including three Committee members.

He said his brother wasn’t on the CPA’s management committee, but was a founding member and “obviously has an intimate understanding of what it is about and strong buy in and commitment to its mission”.

“He probably hadn't envisaged a front line role with the party but with some coercion from a number of people he has acquiesced to strong advice that he is qualified and that he can make a difference both as a candidate and certainly if elected,” he said.

“Notwithstanding that he is my brother, I know he will commit fully and ably to the campaign and if elected to the responsibility of public office.”

Mr Marshall said he always put the needs of his electorate first and often took positions on issues, contrary to his personal views of those of his party.

“I will always be a strong voice for my electorate and its needs and I’m guided by the priorities of my communities,” he said.

“I’m there as a representative of the people in my electorate and not any other ideology or philosophy.

“Ask anyone in my electorate and they’ll say I’m anything but a promoter of the Liberals.”