LOCAL businessman and The Deputy Mayor of the City of Greater Shepparton, Rob Priestly, will stand as an independent for the federal seat of Nicholls in the forthcoming election. In a bid to offer better representation of the community he grew up in, Mr Priestly will be steadfast in his aim to improve the quality of our politics.
“The party system is not delivering the outcomes our community wants. Water buybacks are still a risk to our economy, gambling advertising is targeting our kids, indigenous recognition remains unresolved, and we still have no federal anti-corruption watchdog. The leadership on net zero emissions is a shambles,” said Mr Priestly.
“It’s time to stand up for our community, blind support of a party is damaging our community.”
Mr Priestly has helped build a successful family business in the seat of Nicholls employing 320 staff, was previously the chair of the Committee for Greater Shepparton and was elected to local government in 2020.
Presently, the federal seat of Nicholls is held by Nationals MP Damian Drum. The state level seat of Shepparton is currently held by independent Suzanna Sheed, which was lost by the Nationals after 47 years in 2014. Mr Priestly believes this lends to the value of independent representation.
“My aim is to drive a more open and transparent government. Billions will be spent in the transition to Net Zero. We need our community to attract a share of that investment. It can’t all go to the Queensland marginal seats,” said Mr Priestly.
Water is vital to our regional community, and Mr Priestly laments that we’ve had a raw deal, “We have a perfect model of failed environmental regulation on this government’s watch, the Murray Darling Basin Plan. Bad economic and environmental outcomes.
Our region remains vulnerable to further buybacks under the Plan and the National Party has let us down on this time and again. We are tired of the grandstanding; results are what matters. I will do what ever I can to get a fairer basin plan.”
Mr Priestly believes the gambling industry needs to be held accountable for their targeting of young, and vulnerable people through incessant advertising, and Parliament for their failure to ensure a safe workplace for women.
