The NSW Nationals have endorsed Scott Barrett as the party’s candidate for the seat of Orange.
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More than 200 party members on Sunday filed into the Orange Ex-Services Club to hear from the four nominees: Mr Barrett, Janelle Culverson, Scott Munro and Duncan Brakell.
Mr Barrett said he was honoured and pleased to have been selected as the candidate.
“They’re very passionate and switched on to the needs of the electorate,” Mr Barrett said.
“We’ve got a byelection to win. We’ve got to get the Nationals’ message out there far and wide. I’m ready to go.
“It’s been a couple of months since we had a [state] member and it’s time to start fighting again.”
Mr Barrett said he would continue the work he started to win the preselection and build on what former state member Andrew Gee had done.
The Nationals state director Nathan Quigley said the quality of the four candidates who had nominated to fill the vacancy left by Mr Gee was sign of the party’s strength.
“We’ve got two local councillors and quite accomplished people,” he said.
“This seat has supported the Nationals well in the past, we never take it for granted.
“At a preselection like this we should be looking for a candidate with the potential to go on to to be a leader for the rest of NSW. I think we found that.”
Mrs Culverson – a Cabonne Shire Councillor – said she would get behind Mr Barrett’s campaign in the byelection.
“I’m looking forward to getting started on the campaign and working towards success at the byelection,” she said.
Mr Brakell said he wouldn’t rule out a future tilt at politics.
“It’s been a terrific experience, I’ve met a lot of good people. The discussions I’ve had and the people I’ve met are representative of grass-roots Nationals,” he said.
“I’d love to have another go. But for now, I’ll get behind the party to win the byelection.”
Councillor Munro said preselection was about local people choosing their best representative.
“It’s not like the ALP, there’s no unions pushing delegates. It’s about the people, what we are is what you see,” Cr Munro said.
“We’re trying to build our regions with a commonsense approach, with a fair go for hard workers.
“You’ve got a great party when you have four great candidates.”
The margin of Mr Barrett’s victory on Sunday was not released.