Deniliquin is at the forefront of a campaign that will attempt to make Farrer the next federal seat to be held by an independent.
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Voice for Farrer has confirmed the poorly kept secret that its preferred candidate, Albury Mayor Kevin Mack, will stand as an Independent at the federal election, expected to be in May.
His campaign launch will be held this afternoon in Deniliquin.
He is attempting to follow the lead set by Member for Indi Cathy McGowan, who unseated Liberal Sophie Mirabella in a shock result in 2013. Independents now wield significant power in the Federal Parliament.
In announcing today that he will contest the 2019 federal election in Farrer, Mr Mack said the plight of Deniliquin and surrounding districts was one of the main “tipping points” in his decision to run.
“My roles within local government have taken me deep into the heart of communities across Farrer and the length of the Murray River. I have seen the neglect, but in Deniliquin and Finley and other nearby places it is just next-level neglect,” Mr Mack said.
A former policeman and described as one of the region’s most accomplished leaders, Mr Mack said water issues, highlighted by the failure of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, had devastated many families in these regions and crippled the townships.
“When I am told of a farmer’s wife too afraid to leave her husband alone at home while she goes to the shops because of his fragile mental state, then it’s time to act; it tipped me over the edge,” Mr Mack said.
“If things don’t change, these communities will continue to decline, impacted by increased unfairness and lack of accountability.
“Many of those living in Farrer communities look across the Murray to their Victorian neighbours and see a better life. They look upstream and downstream and they see fairer water allocations. Well I’m here to say I’m stuck in the middle with you all to fix Farrer because Farrer matters.”
Mr Mack, who has been backed by Voices For Farrer and its community group led by Barooga’s Chris Brooks and Deniliquin’s Vicki Meyer, said he was keen to address the following issues for Deniliquin:
●Water: “I will fight to the end for a fairer water allocation.”
●Health: “The hospital services are a priority.”
●Timber and Forestry: “How could a sustainable redgum forest industry be shut down a few years ago at the stroke of a pen?”
●Employment: “The rice mill needs support.”
●Internet and mobile phone service coverage: “It is third-world poor in this region.”
Mr Mack said when he had been approached by Voices For Farrer leaders as a potentially aligned candidate they had a simple proposition to put to him.
Mr Mack said when he had been approached by Voices For Farrer leaders as a potentially aligned candidate they had a simple proposition to put to him.
“Vicki and Chris said all the people in these proud towns were after was the right to be treated fairly, someone to listen and take action, and someone the region could believe in again,” he said.
Mr Mack, who is chair of Riverina And Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO), which includes 11 council regions, and currently Mayor of Albury among other regional community board roles, said he felt the time was right for him to fight for the people of Farrer on a national stage.
“I didn’t make this decision lightly, but ultimately there were three major reasons for choosing this path,” Mr Mack said.
“Firstly, I am a passionate believer in that smaller communities like Deniliquin are the heart and soul of Australia; secondly I believe they are presently being led nationally to extinction.
“And lastly I believe I am qualified with experience and determination to roll up my sleeves and make a difference by getting better results for people.”
Mr Mack, 57, who is married to Jill and has four children, said Deniliquin would be a cornerstone region in his campaign.
“The message is loud and clear to me from Deniliquin people and citizens further west - the place has been deserted by the current Federal MP, so I’m moving in,” he said.
Mr Mack said his decision to stand as an Independent candidate was made so he would be “truly free to act for the people and not be sucked into the vortex of a political party that has too many strings attached and too many acts of self-interest ahead of the community.”
“We have seen the rise of Independents in other electorates in recent times, and we have seen what a difference it makes to the ordinary people of a community when they have better representation from their politicians who are truly acting in their interests,” he said.
“Farrer matters, Deniliquin matters, and I’m going to try to turn the lights back on.”
The official launch will be held from 3.15pm today at the Voices for Farrer community hub, 283 Cressy St, Deniliquin.