Shepparton’s Kim O’Keeffe has been officially announced as The Nationals’ candidate for Shepparton in the 2022 State Election.
Ms O’Keeffe’s candidacy got resounding support at the 2022 Nationals State Conference in Shepparton on Saturday, which was attended by hundreds of grassroots members, and Federal and State Nationals MPs.
Living in Shepparton most of her life, in recent years Ms O’Keeffe has dedicated her life to building a strong voice for the local community in the halls of power including with roles as Mayor of Greater Shepparton Council and as the Chair of Regional Cities Victoria.
Ms O’Keeffe said the current government’s city-centric agenda constantly overlooked Shepparton, which was why she had decided to run for The Nationals’ team.
“Like all local people I’ve been frustrated to see key local projects, like future stages of the GV Health upgrade or better local roads, constantly overlooked in the past few State Budgets,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“The Shepparton region has so much potential to thrive with a strong local representative in Victorian Parliament to build on Sam Birrell’s strong advocacy at the Federal level.
I believe the best way to do that is as part of a team of Nationals MPs who are dedicated to secure a fair share for all regional Victorians.
“On my priority list for the Shepparton electorate are delivering future stages at GV Health, certainty that our communities will never again be put into lockdown and securing more investment in maintaining local roads with a return of the Country Roads and Bridges Program.”
Deputy Leader of The Nationals Steph Ryan announced The Nationals’ 25 percent Regional Infrastructure Guarantee over the weekend, which would deliver on Ms O’Keeffe’s priorities for new or upgraded hospitals, schools and roads.
“Kim has long championed positive change in the local region, through her work on council and in the community – I’m thrilled to have her running for Shepparton as part of The Nationals’ team,” Mr Walsh said.
The Nationals State President Neil Pankhurst said local people knew their local community best, with Bendigo’s Gaelle Broad pre-selected top of The Nationals’ ticket on Sunday for Shepparton’s upper house seat of Northern Victoria.
“Regional Victoria needs our voice heard in the halls of State Parliament, but we don’t even rate a mention by the city-centric Andrews Labor Government,” Mr Pankhurst said.
“I look forward to working with Kim and our Upper House candidates as we continue to fight for a dedicated fair share for regional Victoria.”
