The Nationals WA have today announced a strong and passionate team of regional champions who will take up the fight for regional WA at the Federal election.
Leader of The Nationals WA, Terry Redman, said with a double-dissolution election looming, regional Western Australia had an opportunity to send a strong message to Canberra by election a Nationals WA Senator to Federal Parliament.
“A double-dissolution election provides a unique opportunity for The Nationals WA to gain our first Federal Senator in 40 years, and I look forward to working with our Senate team to ensure regional issues are high on the agenda in Canberra,” Mr Redman said.
“I’m delighted to announce The Nationals WA candidates who will take up the fight for regional WA in Federal Parliament,” Mr Redman said.
Goldfields Indigenous leader and Indigenous rights activist Kado Muir will be The Nationals WA lead candidate in the Senate. Born in Leonora, Mr Muir is a leader of the Ngalia tribe, an Aboriginal artist, anthropologist and consultant.
Youth empowerment, Indigenous suicide, remote and rural community sustainability, environmental issues and greater exposure for regional arts are all issues Mr Muir will bring to the Federal campaign.
Joining Mr Muir on the Senate ticket will be Kalgoorlie based electrician and business development manager Nicholas Fardell and City of Stirling councillor Elizabeth Re.
The Nationals WA have selected Pingelly farmer and CBH Board director John Hassell as the candidate for the Federal seat of O’Connor.
A former WAFarmers executive, Mr Hassell lives in East Pingelly on a sheep and grain farming operation with his wife and three children and also has a contract spraying business.
Mr Redman said The Nationals WA would face a tough task advocating for the best interests of Western Australia while the two major parties focused on the Eastern States.
“It’s always going to be a challenge, asking the major parties – whose party rooms are dominated by Eastern States politicians – to consider issues affecting Western Australia, but our record in State and Federal Parliament in recent years has proven we are up to the challenge,” Mr Redman said.
“There’s no shortage of issues and projects in regional WA that require Federal attention but I’m confident that our Senate candidates and our Candidate for O’Connor are up to the task and will fight for the best interests of regional families, business and communities.”
