“I am pleased to announce that Cr Lynette Craigie and Cr Veronica Fleay have nominated for the electorate of Durack and Mr Tony Crook has nominated for the electorate of O’Connor,” Mr Holt said.

Based in Newman, Cr Lynette Craigie, 50, is the President of the Shire of East Pilbara and a WA Local Government Association State Councillor.

Cr Veronica Fleay, 52, is a partner and proprietor of Ningaloo Agencies based in Exmouth and also has extensive experience in Local Government. She is the President of the Shire of Exmouth and a Regional Representative on the WA Planning Commission, and serves as a Councillor on the WA Local Government Association State Council.

Kalgoorlie local Mr Tony Crook, 48, was The Nationals’ lead Senate candidate in the 2007 Federal election and the candidate for Kalgoorlie in the 2008 State election. He has held a number of positions with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and was awarded Kalgoorlie-Boulder Citizen of the Year in 2004.

State President Colin Holt said the calibre of the nominees was outstanding.

“The nominees have all expressed their desire to take The Nationals WA message of independence and focus on delivering the best outcome for regional communities to Canberra,” Mr Holt said.

“Our State team has demonstrated the benefits of having a strong and independent political force focussed solely on the people who choose to live, work and invest in the regions.

“We recognise that our Federal colleagues are in Coalition at a Federal level and look forward to sending a Western Australian National to Canberra to ensure regional WA has a voice in Canberra.”

Mr Holt and Party leader Brendon Grylls will be joined by a team of Nationals members in Canberra for Federal Council over the weekend to promote the achievements of the Nationals WA in government and advance motions endorsed by State Conference delegates in Kalgoorlie earlier this year.

Key motions will be calling on the Federal Government to support the implementation of a Flow Through Shares Scheme for Australian Junior operators in the gas, oil and mineral exploration industries; tax deductions for child care expenses; enabling nurse practitioners to access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme under the National Health Act (1953) and the Medicare Benefits Schedule under the Commonwealth Health Insurance Act (1973) to allow them to provide their services to regional Australians who are unable to afford the full cost of private health services; and seeking support for an enquiry into the structure of Australian petrol pricing.