Peter Sinclair is making a third bid for the seat of Farrer, returning as a Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party candidate after two previous attempts.
Mr Sinclair comes from a rural background, with his father a sheep and wheat farmer, and has spent much of his working life in agriculture.
He lived between Batlow and Wagga Wagga for 17 years before settling in Holbrook, where he has resided for the past 24 years.
He said he had “a soft spot” for Farrer and had no intention of leaving the region.
Mr Sinclair said he wanted to contest the seat of Farrer again to offer constituents another option.
“I have contested two elections in the area, one state and one federal,” he said.
“With the turmoil that is federal politics now, I feel we at the SFF have a very stable platform that has much to offer people looking for something real and constant.”
Mr Sinclair said water and health remained the most pressing issues facing the region.
He warned future droughts would place serious pressure on water supply in Farrer, citing upstream urban growth and downstream water sales as key concerns.
He also said health services had been neglected, pointing to ageing facilities in larger centres and doctor shortages in smaller towns, leaving the region below Australian standards.
Mr Sinclair called for stronger support for manufacturing, arguing there were too few stable, well-paying jobs to sustain local communities, and also raised concerns about rural crime and the need for a stronger police presence.
“We must have another long, hard look at the buying and selling of water and also that any money we receive from health is spent as effectively as possible,” he said.
In relation to a proposed private hospital in Moama, he is supportive of expanding health services but stressed the importance of careful expenditure.
He said the issue required open and honest debate, rather than a “show” to win voters.
By focusing on health and water, Mr Sinclair believes he can effectively represent the people of Farrer in parliament.
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