The NSW Young Nationals has elected former candidate for Cessnock, Jessica Price-Purnell, as its new leader.
Ms Price-Purnell – an adviser to NSW Nationals MP Rick Colless – takes over from Wagga Wagga’s Dom Hopkinson, whose two-year stint as chair concluded with the weekend’s Young Nats conference at Forster-Tuncurry.
A crowd of 70 delegates passed motions supporting the government’s proposed Biodiversity Act reforms, and for more resources to be allocated to veterans’ regional mental health.
Ms Price-Purnell ran as the NSW Nationals’ candidate for Cessnock in 2015 after rock icon Angry Anderson withdrew his candidacy a month out from the vote.
Labor’s Clayton Barr retained the seat.
Ms Price-Purnell has worked with National Australia Bank and Regional Development Australian Northern Inland, and was an advisor to NSW education minister Adrian Piccoli.
A host of Nationals MPs turned out to watch a strong contingent of Young Nationals debate policy and push new agendas during the two-day conference in Stephen Bromhead’s Myall Lakes electorate.
Delegates were unanimous in their support of a motion backing the Coalition’s native vegetation reform.
Ms Price-Purnell said she was particularly please with a motion that pushed for more regional support for veterans with PTSD.
“Vets need more support when they’re discharged, especially in regional areas where there isn’t often adequate resources,” she said.
