By Sam Birrell
I am running in this election because the best way for this region to achieve the policy and investment focus it needs is with an engaged Nationals member in a Coalition government. Damian Drum has done a great job for this electorate, achieving record levels of funding, including the Shepparton Rail Corridor and the Echuca-Moama bridge. The impression some are trying to give that Nicholls has been ignored, is self-serving and untrue.
There is more to do and by using the leverage that the Nationals hold in the Federal parliament, we can focus on continuing to build our region. I am determined to ensure the Murray Darling Basin Plan does not include an add on of 450 gigalitres, which would take water away from our farmers and send it to South Australia. I want to push for an Agricultural Visa that provides our regional businesses with the people they need to grow.
There are roads, bridges and town amenities to build, to attract people to our region and further help our economy to thrive. Our region needs support to achieve Net Zero 2050 without damaging our economic base. If I thought there was a better way to achieve all of this, I would have made a different call. The decision I made is to use the National Party power for the benefit of our region.
