By-election candidate opens Deni office

The opening, by Edward River Mayor Ashley Hall, marked the start of the by-election campaign after Member for Farrer Sussan Ley announced she would be resigning.

No by-election date has been set because Ms Ley has not yet formally resigned as the local Member.

Mrs Milthorpe’s hub, located at 255 Cressy St, was opened in front of local residents and supporters.

She said returning to Deniliquin to establish a base was important, noting that many of the concerns raised during last year’s federal election campaign remain unresolved.

“Many of the issues people raised with me last year are still the same today,” she said.

“Our farming communities have been forgotten.

“Since the last election, farmers are paying more, in some cases double, for temporary water, and politicians in Canberra are too busy fighting with each other to do something about it.”

Mrs Milthorpe said rising water prices were “crippling” communities across the region.

“Farmers are on their knees and no one is listening. The flow-on effect to the community is devastating. This is a national crisis. We need a Royal Commission into water immediately. If elected, I will fight every single day until it becomes a reality.”

Her comments echoed notes she shared during the visit, saying she continues to hear the same concerns across the region, including in Blighty and surrounding districts.

“There are a lot of questions and in the meantime too many people are hurting,” she said.

Mrs Milthorpe also highlighted broader pressures facing regional towns, including aged care, childcare, access to GPs and allied health, decentralised services and telecommunications.

“Regional communities are being left behind in so many painful ways.

“We are saying enough is enough.

“I want to be our representative. I am ready to fight for Farrer.”

Childcare availability was raised as a key issue during her discussions with locals, with Mrs Milthorpe stating the pains being felt in Deni are “consistent across regional communities”.

“We don’t have private companies banging on the door,” she said.

“If you can’t get childcare, you can’t attract and retain young families.”

She said concerns like these reflect the broader challenge of attracting and keeping workers, businesses and families in regional areas.

Mrs Milthorpe has spent time at the campaign hub this week, as well as travelling around the region meeting residents, visiting local businesses and speaking with community groups.