NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton has regained access to her Facebook page ‘Helen Dalton MP’ and its 27,000 followers, after a direct appeal to Facebook’s head of politics and government outreach.
“Shortly before I resigned from the (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers) party, the Shooters removed my access to the Helen Dalton MP page,” Mrs Dalton said.
“This was extremely vindictive and petty.
“A few weeks ago when my dad died, I posted his photos on my page – and received hundreds of condolence wishes. They even blocked my access to these messages.
“I created the page myself in 2015, before I joined the party. It represents my identity, so it’s only fair that I get to administer it.”
Mrs Dalton said after providing much documentation and frequent liaison with very helpful Facebook staff, the social media giant decided to revoke the Shooters’ control of the page and give it back to her.
“It’s a big relief,” Mrs Dalton said.
“I use that page to provide information to my constituents as well as highlight community achievements and promote our campaign to get better mental health/hospital services in the bush.”
The independent MP also wanted to reassure constituents that she would continue to represent them.
“A lot of people are stopping me in the street asking why I’ve left parliament,” Mrs Dalton said
“But I will continue to serve as an independent, fighting for rural NSW.
“My offices in Griffith, Deniliquin and Buronga will remain open, and our team remains dedicated to helping the public.
“Both the Shooters and the Nationals will run candidates against me at the next election.
“It’ll be a really tough battle, but with community support I can still win.”
Mrs Dalton resigned from the Shooters Farmers and Fishers Party last week after the party’s upper house MPs didn’t show up to vote down what she called dodgy National Party water laws.
“The National Party laws really disadvantaged Murray River irrigators and Lower Darling communities,” Mrs Dalton said.
“I now need to put my community first – and represent them as an independent.”