McCormack looks forward to election campaign
THE Nationals' Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of the eight-week election campaign.
Speaking after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced 2 July as the date for the double dissolution poll, Mr McCormack said he had the energy and experience to continue in his role as Riverina's local MP.
"The Nationals in Government have delivered a great deal over the past three years and I have worked hard to gain a number of significant local projects particularly in the past six months," Mr McCormack said.
"Nearly a billion dollars for infrastructure upgrades at the region's Air Force and Army bases, a new sports stadium for Wagga Wagga, Gundagai's main street upgrade and a new medical precinct for Temora are just some of the exciting initiatives I have worked hard to achieve in recent months.
"New bridges at Kapooka, Carrathool, Gobarralong and over the Murrumbidgee River at Eunony delivered through federal funding have improved the Riverina's corridors of commerce."
The Riverina boundaries now take in eight new shires – Cootamundra, Cowra, Forbes, Harden, Lockhart, Parkes, Weddin and Young – and Mr McCormack said he was keen to get out and about in the new areas to meet as many new people as possible and catch up with some familiar faces.
"I know a lot of people from the new Shires of the electorate through my days as a newspaper editor and in my business and having been a local MP and Minister and having visited these places a number of times since the new boundaries were announced," Mr McCormack said.
"The new Shires in the Riverina are full of good hard-working people who have that typical country entrepreneurial drive, spirit and resilience."
Last week's Federal Budget was an economic plan not just for the nation, but presented excellent opportunities for jobs and growth for regional areas, especially the Riverina and Central West, Mr McCormack said.
"The cut in company tax rate will benefit Riverina and Central West small businesses and the budget included $593.7 million for inland rail pre-construction work and land acquisition," Mr McCormack said.
Mr McCormack said only the Coalition offered the stability and economic expertise to manage the nation's finances and take advantage of the important trade agreements successfully negotiated with China, Japan and South Korea.