Sitting independent candidate Helen Dalton is being tipped to retain the seat of Murray in tomorrow’s NSW election.
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Mrs Dalton is a firm favourite with bookmakers, ahead of Nationals’ candidate Peta Betts.
Mrs Dalton, who has built a reputation as a hard working parliamentarian who does not have to toe a party line, won the seat from The Nationals four years ago as a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
She resigned from SFF when it did not support her stance on floodplain harvesting, which she saw as being detrimental to NSW Murray irrigators.
She could hold a powerful position in the new parliament.
Recent polling suggests neither major party is likely to govern in a majority, and as such Mrs Dalton could be in a very influential position in a minority government.
Both Mrs Dalton and Ms Betts have campaigned heavily on health, with The Nationals promising $106 million to upgrade Deniliquin Hospital, and Mrs Dalton committing to seek funding for a new hospital on a greenfield site.
The Nationals have allocated huge amounts to hospital infrastructure across the region in recent years, but local health advocates have continued to express concern that Deniliquin was missing out.
In all there are 10 candidates in the seat. In ballot order they are: Adrian Carle (Legalise Cannabis Party); Max Buljubasic (Labor); Michael Florance (Sustainable Australia Party); Peta Betts (The Nationals); Kevin Farrell (Public Education Party); Desiree Gregory (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers); Amelia King (The Greens); Helen Dalton (Independent); Greg Adamson (Independent); David Landini (Independent).
The election campaign has not been without its controversies, in particular Ms Betts refusing to stand down as Mayor of Edward River Council and even declaring that if elected she could remain as both mayor and Member for Murray.
This was despite concerns expressed by some fellow councillors who believed there were perceived conflicts of interest and concerns with political neutrality.
One even wrote to Ms Betts expressing her concerns.
Mrs Dalton, in response, has suggested voters should ask whether they “want a part-time MP”, highlighting the size of the electorate and the numerous hours of travelling required, not to mention the time spent in Sydney during parliamentary sittings.
At last week’s candidate forum coordinated by Deniliquin Business Chamber, Ms Betts said she understood the interest and had fielded many questions about whether she would hold both roles if elected.
But said it was a case of “putting the cart before the horse”.
Ms Betts caused further controversy at the forum reportedly stating she declined a request to film the event, to allow people who could not attend the evening to listen to candidate responses.
This prompted a walk-out from independent candidate Greg Adamson, who said all other candidates in attendance did not object to it being filmed.
In her final pitch to voters this week, Mrs Dalton highlighted her catch cry of “together we can achieve more than you can imagine”.
“Over the last four years as your Independent member, I have worked hard to deliver for the region,” she said.
“In fact, during my term, I have secured $1.4 billion compared to the Nationals’ previous term of under $200 million.
“These achievements did not just appear. It takes hard work, passion and perseverance by your local member to get results.
“Murray needs an MP committed to the job 100 per cent of the time; a part time MP will never get the job done.
“The National Party has thrown the southern basin under the bus five times, as they continue to push through a floodplain harvesting regulation that gifts 2000 gigalitres of water to their corporate mates in the north, while impacting allocation reliability in the south, they had 37 years to get the job done.
“If you want to keep Murray moving, vote one Helen Dalton, your Independent member.”
In her final pitch, Ms Betts reiterated her introductory remarks at the candidate forum, where she said her aim was to “get the people of Murray what they deserve” and stated she believed a “coffee and cake approach will open doors”.
“Murray must have a voice in the Nationals team, which has already delivered better health and hospital services, roads and telecommunications in our region,” Ms Betts said.
“A vote for The Nationals is a vote for water security, better health services, more money for local roads and bridges and cheaper electricity prices.
“Crucially, the Nationals do not support non-strategic water buybacks, and we don’t support any changes to the socio-economic test.
“The Nationals promised - and delivered - $1 billion to fix roads throughout New South Wales, including local roads. We’ve got another $1 billion ready to spend on regional roads and rail, and more than $330 million on the table for regional councils to spend fixing their roads.
“In our local area a re-elected Liberal Nationals Government will invest more than $100 million in upgrading Deniliquin Hospital and up to $4 million to upgrade Deniliquin Airport – two critical projects for our region.
“Importantly, the Nationals have also provided more than $300 million in energy bill relief, and will deliver another $250 per household if re-elected.
“Murray deserves better than an Independent who does deals and will put a Labor/Greens Government in power – which would see farmers lose water, towns lose businesses and locals lose jobs.”
The other Deniliquin candidate is David Landini, continuing to promote his Riverina State. He says “only a Riverina State can protect our livelihoods and prosperity from the insurmountable domination of urban green NSW”.
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