AT LEAST four early birds have swooped in to vie for the north-western NSW seat of Barwon which will be vacated at the 2019 election.
Incumbent MP Kevin Humphries announced he would stand aside at the next vote, clearing the way for a fresh face.
The Shooters Fishers and Farmers, an Independent candidate and the National Party have put a hat in the ring, while a Labor option appeared all but confirmed.
The National Party selected Andrew Schier as its candidate to replace Mr Humphries.
He knows the people, he knows the issues and he’s got the right sort of fight in him to stand up for us in Macquarie Street.
- Outgoing MP Kevin Humphries
The Barwon MP, who has held the seat for 11 years, as well as a number of ministry roles, endorsed the Gilgandra-man for the job.
“I know that Andrew is well respected in the Gilgandra community – as a farmer and meat processor, in local sporting clubs and right across the region as Chairman of the Western Racing Association,” Mr Humphries said.
“As a local farmer and father, he knows the people, he knows the issues and he’s got the right sort of fight in him to stand up for us in Macquarie Street.”
Mr Schier said education was his key priority.
“I believe that the education of our younger people in the region is a key component which leads to improved outcomes in employment, health and families,” he said.
Another Gilgandra-man, Phillip Naden, has announced he’d run as an independent.
“While I recognise and acknowledge the legacy of the seat that is currently held by the National Party, I believe that the people of the Barwon electorate deserve the choice of independent representation, of someone who is willing and able to challenge the major parties and hold them accountable for consulting more widely with their electorate on major decisions,” Mr Naden said.
The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party announced Roy Butler as its candidate for the seat.
“I’m campaigning to be the next Member for Barwon because the National Party has failed our electorate,” Mr Butler said.
Meanwhile, Broken Hill mayor Darriea Turley is reportedly set to run as the Labor candidate for Barwon, however the party’s pre-selection process isn’t completed.
Jacob McArthur
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
Jacob McArthur is opinions editor for The Canberra Times and Australian Community Media. As part of the Canberra Times' production team, he helps the people of Canberra and beyond get the stories they need, when they need them across a range of platforms, while helping maintain a high editorial standard. Before moving to Canberra in 2020, he started with Australian Community Media in 2015 as a journalist for The Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth where he kept a close eye on Tamworth Regional Council. Jacob was also the co-host of ACM's Water Pressure podcast where he and Jamieson Murphy took a deep dive on issues and key decisions arising during one of the region's worst droughts on record.
