The Nationals met in Griffith on Sunday to preselect their candidate for the seat, which will also be contested by the Liberals, One Nation and a high-profile independent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Four nominees put their hand up and Mr Robertson was selected by the party room.<\/p>\n
Mr Robertson said the issues he saw as a priority for the electorate were fighting for better healthcare access in the region and water management.<\/p>\n
He believes the Farrer electorate is a perfect reflection of the core values of the National Party.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“It ranges from towns, farming communities including cattle and irrigation \u2014 they are part of our key values of who we represent,” he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mr Robertson said he hoped his own and those party values resonated with the voters of Farrer.<\/p>\n
“We want to protect our food and fibre industries,” he said.<\/p>\n
“If you go out and you tell people what to think, you’re not engaging in a proper conversation. This region especially will see through that.”<\/p>\n
Former Federal National Party deputy leader Perin Davey said Mr Robertson would deliver for the region.<\/p>\n
“Mr Robertson was in the army for 29 years; he’s very much committed to the local community and to the broader Farrer community as well.”<\/p>\n
The former senator, who lives in the electorate at Deniliquin, said having another Nationals voice was important for regional Australia.<\/p>\n
“If we can get a Nationals representative in Farrer, that is one strong fighter for Farrer in a partyroom of fighters for regional Australia,” she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Brad Robertson has Perin Davey’s backing. (ABC Riverina: Jess Scully)<\/p>\n
Historically non-Labor seat<\/p>\n
Mr Robertson believes the Nationals have a “strong chance” of gaining the seat back.<\/p>\n
“When you look at what we represent and the people of Farrer, they’ve been waiting for us to come back,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Under our conventions we couldn’t contest this seat, and now we can.”<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
The National Party met in Griffith to choose a candidate for the Farrer by-election. (ABC News)<\/p>\n
Before Ms Ley, Farrer was held by then deputy prime minister Tim Fischer for the Nationals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The vast regional seat covers 126,000 square kilometres of southern and western NSW. It takes at least 9 hours to drive from its eastern to western points.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
The meeting to select a new candidate went for more than 3 hours. (ABC News: Jostina Basta)<\/p>\n
One Nation’s candidate<\/p>\n
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is gaining renewed attention across parts of regional Australia, with the minor party seeing a rise in supporters as voters look beyond the traditional parties.<\/p>\n