SIGNIFICANT PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE RIVERINA ELECTORATE

“The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has today released its proposed Federal electoral divisions for New South Wales. 

“The Riverina electorate, which I represent, has been significantly affected. 

“Under the AEC proposal, Bland, Forbes and Parkes Shires would be moved into the Parkes electorate, currently held by Mark Coulton and the Riverina would gain Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley Local Government Areas (LGA), from the Eden-Monaro electorate currently held by Kristy McBain, and the Upper Lachlan LGA from the Hume electorate, held by Angus Taylor. 

“As well, Riverina will also gain the Hilltops LGA town Boorowa, which is presently in the Hume electorate. 

“Most of Hilltops, centred on Young, is already in the Riverina boundary. 

“If the AEC proposal is ratified, I would like to assure the residents of the Bland, Forbes and Parkes LGAs, which I have represented fiercely, that I will continue to support those communities until the next Federal Election, due before May 2025. 

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent such wonderful communities, which are the heart and soul of regional NSW. 

“I have been in touch with the Bland, Forbes and Parkes Shire Mayors, Brian Monaghan, Phyllis Miller OAM and Neil Westcott, regarding the announcement. 

“I am visiting Parkes, Forbes and West Wyalong next week and look forward to the appointments in those towns. 

“That said, I would welcome the opportunity, should the proposed boundaries be confirmed, to represent those communities in the Snowy Valleys, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley LGAs and will proudly fight for their interests in Canberra. 

“I have previously represented the Snowy Valleys LGA prior to the AEC’s electoral boundary redistribution in 2016 and look forward to representing those wonderful communities again, alongside the beautiful Yass Valley and Upper Lachlan regions. 

“I have also reached out to the Mayor of Snowy Valleys, Councillor Ian Chaffey, to discuss the possible inclusion of his Council area in the Riverina electorate again and look forward to more talks as the redistribution process continues.”