McCORMACK WELCOMES OPPORTUNITY TO GET AUSTRALIA BACK ON TRACK

Member for Riverina Michael McCormack MP has welcomed the calling of a Federal Election for 3 May 2025 saying it represents a much-needed opportunity to get Australia back on track. 

“Those who have been left behind as part of Labor’s cost-of-living crisis now have the chance to make their voices heard — by ensuring The Nationals and Liberals are elected to Government,” Mr McCormack said. 

“It has been an extraordinary honour and privilege to serve the people of the Riverina for the past 14 years and I will continue to work hard and deliver should I be fortunate to be re-elected. 

“I want to build on my strong record of delivery by ensuring the Riverina has a representative with the vision, policies, drive and experience needed to ensure the community’s voice is heard and met by the Government.  

“The Riverina is already the greatest region in Australia to live, work and raise a family, but it needs to continue with a representative who has the correct skillset to ensure it stays that way. 

“It is no secret the past few years have been tough for many, with a soaring cost of living, a housing crisis, international turmoil and an alarming decline in social cohesion. 

“The Nationals in Coalition with the Liberals have developed a comprehensive suite of policies which address the issues that matter most, such as the cost of living and housing, and will deliver the strong leadership on national security and foreign policy our nation needs. 

“These policies have been developed by listening to the concerns of ordinary, hard-working Australians who have seen firsthand the damage a Labor Government can do. 

“As many voters would have heard in last night’s Budget in Reply address by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, a Coalition Government will halve fuel excise for 12 months, cutting 25 cents a litre off the price of petrol. 

“The National Party has always been the party for regional Australia because we understand the issues regional Australians face. 

“In the past few years The Nationals have led the national debate on the important issues affecting our country: 

·         We recognised The Voice to Parliament was a flawed and costly proposal

·         We have championed nuclear energy as a safe, clean and efficient alternative to wind and solar farms on prime agricultural land

·         We stopped the biosecurity tax on farmers

·         We stood with farmers against the live sheep export ban and will overturn it if re-elected

·         We have opposed Labor’s truckie tax and tax on new vehicles 

“Our policies and my local advocacy have also seen many remarkable investments secured and paid off in our region. 

“The $21 million University of New South Wales Biomedical Sciences Centre is now training doctors from start to finish in Wagga Wagga, the Temora community is benefiting from a $5.3 million grant to upgrade its airport, and the future of Blamey Barracks, Kapooka and RAAF Base Wagga has been secured with an almost $1.5 billion of upgrades set to start this year. 

“That is not to mention the countless grants delivered to Councils, community organisations and businesses. 

“Only if re-elected to Government can we expand upon this delivery and begin to set right the damage that has been done by Labor. 

“Remember, too, a vote for an independent is a vote for Labor – it won’t change the Government.” 

As a result of the redistribution of NSW electorates by the Australian Electoral Commission, Bland, Forbes and Parkes shires will no longer be in the Riverina electorate. Meanwhile, Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley Local Government Areas as well as Boorowa and eastern section of Hilltops Local Government Area, have been redistributed into Riverina. These changes take effect at the election. 

“I would also like to remind voters in the region their electorate may have changed as a result of the recent redistribution. If your Local Government Area is subject to change, you will have received a letter from the Australian Electoral Commission informing you of such,” Mr McCormack said. 

“It is with much enthusiasm and excitement that I embrace the new parts of the electorate. 

“Many residents of the new areas may not have had the chance to vote for a National Party candidate before and I am keen to demonstrate what National Party representation can achieve for them. 

“I welcome the robust but civil contest of ideas in the upcoming election campaign and want to acknowledge how lucky we all are to live in a country in which our democracy is strong, stable and respected.” 

Members of the public can confirm their enrolment and electorate at: https://check.aec.gov.au/ 

The Nationals’ plan to get Australia back on track can be found at: https://www.nationalsplan.org.au/