With a federal election due before May this year, two new candidates for the federal electorate of Riverina have been announced. Incumbent MP, Michael McCormack, will also run for re-election.
Jenny Rolfe has been announced as the independent candidate endorsed by Together for Riverina.
After receiving generous feedback from the community, the selection committee endorsed Jenny Rolfe to contest the seat of Riverina, with a goal of “putting people before politics.”
“The result of the preselection reflects the feedback we received from the community and we are confident that Jenny will make a great candidate and Member of Parliament for Riverina” Alex Tewes, Chair of the pre-selection Committee, said.
Ms Rolfe, a Wagga Wagga-based financial education specialist working to help clients overcome financial and social barriers, said it was “a privilege” to be chosen as the community-backed independent candidate for Riverina, with plenty of responsibility and opportunity.
“I take seriously the responsibility to put people before politics, and to listen deeply to the needs and concerns of residents in every part of the electorate, from Cowra to Crookwell, Grenfell to Gundagai, Jugiong to Junee, Mangoplah to Marrar, Temora to Tumbarumba, Yass to Yerong Creek, and everywhere in between,” she said.
“I’m a firm believer in “service above self” and have seen firsthand the impact that good governance, professional relationships, and transparent leadership can have on creating meaningful change. And that's the leadership I will bring to Parliament … I want to be a great representative who puts the people of Riverina first, is transparent, and works hard to make a real difference to take meaningful action on the issues that matter most to our communities."
Wagga’s local Labor Party president Mark Jeffreson has confirmed that he will be standing once again as a candidate for the electorate, which covers 48,988 square kilometres.
"I've lived in Regional Australia all my life, and know the issues that face regional Australians." said Jeffreson, who says the focus of his campaign will be continued cost of living relief.
"Anyone who looks at their energy bill, checks their HECS debt, or received a 60 day prescription knows that much has been done, however more needs to be done and we are the government to do it.
We have fought hard in Parliament to push through our cost of living reforms, while the Nationals, Greens & the Liberals have consistently voted against them."
"Our own local Representative Michael McCormack has voted against The Housing Australia Future Fund, the Help to Buy Housing Scheme, and amazingly, The Future Made in Australia Program.
He has backed the Chemist's Union interests over his own constituents by trying to deny them cheaper medicine, and using his voice in the Parliament to vote them down.
The Riverina needs a Representative who will act for the community, not special interests.
When we came to Government inflation was over 6% wages had flatlined and Aged Care and the National Disability Insurance Scheme were in disarray, and a budget surplus was out of the question."
"In under 3 years Interest rates have been stabilised, inflation has been reduced to 2.7%, two budget surpluses have been achieved and Aged Care and the NDIS have been restored to their proper place in the Budget, and the community."