Candidates battling to become the next Member for Orange have outlined the different ways they would influence government to win funding for the electorate.
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Nationals candidate Kate Hazelton and Country Labor candidate Luke Sanger said if elected they would be able to lobby for funding from inside the government.
Greens candidate Stephen Nugent and the current member and Shooters Fishers and Farmers candidate Phil Donato said their election could lead to them holding the balance of power in a tight election.
Mr Donato said his priorities included floodproofing the Newell Highway and improved rail funding.
"Our electorate needs someone who can hold both major parties to account given that it is very likely neither side will form government in their own right. I will never be in opposition which means that I can work with and hold to account the Coalition and Labor," he said.
Mrs Hazelton will support a new sporting facility, conservatorium and the inland rail project.
"If the coalition is returned to government then I will be in a prime position inside the government itself, to negotiate a hard bargain to get funding for the people of Orange," she said.
Mr Sanger called for the next government to open its 'eyes and more importantly wallets' to Orange and its potential in tourism, recreation, medical facilities and lifestyle.
"These are the areas that have strong Labor policies and I will push to secure funding and grants for local council," he said.
Cr Nugent said a local Greens member would be in "a very strong position" if it held the balance of power.
"It's a disgrace that this government has been so inequitable in their distribution of funding - it's almost as if they've been punishing the people of Orange for the 2016 byelection result. In terms of redressing the imbalance, it's important to have a local member who is capable and fearless in advocating for their electorate," he said.
Garry McMahon (Conservatives) said the successful candidate should work with the government for Orange funding. "The member for Orange must make it a priority to work closely with the sitting government to gain favourable support rather than parliamentary strategies," he said.
Terri Ann Baxter (Independent) announced a range of funding priorities including housing shortages, poverty, aged and palliative care, domestic violence, education and school safety, childcare, employment and water resources.
Maurice Davey (Christian Democrats) said there should be an ethical distribution of funding across and within all electorates.
"In terms of spending priorities, the Orange area, as half the voting electorate should be allocated a large percentage of overall funding. Priorities would therefore be determined in consultation with local councils," he said.
Stephen Bisgrove (Liberal Democrats) said he would set up focus groups to prioritise funding.
"It is my role to attend to the whole electorate needs, to ensure Parkes, Canowindra, Molong and Forbes is included in the list and not just fall behind Orange," he said.
David O'Brien (Keep Sydney Open) said his funding priorities included water sustainability, local business investment, public transport and arts and culture with emphasis on the Orange FOOD Week and Wine festival events.
CLARIFICATION: An article published in the Central Western Daily on Monday stated Australian Conservative Candidate for Orange Garry McMahon took a hard-line on the criminalisation of drug users and those caught supplying them. CWD clarifies Mr McMahon's hard-line approach referred to those who sell drugs, not illegal drug users.
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