Shooters Fishers and Farmers' Candidate for Calare Sam Romano has warned the Central West risks becoming full of "ghost towns" if the government continues to focus on cities.
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He said while recent debate around superannuation and other election issues were raging, both the coalition and Labor were "distracting the community from what really matters here on the ground".
"I'm out speaking with locals and finding out what the issues are here in Calare," Mr Romano said.
He said a focus needed to made to keep shopping and retail strong in regional communities.
I understand the challenges they are facing.
- Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Sam Romano
"We are seeing more and more empty shopfronts in our country towns, and this government needs to act now," Mr Romano said.
"Ghost towns are what we can realistically expect if this citycentric National Liberal government continues on its path of neglecting small business and regional communities."
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Visiting Wellington on Thursday, Mr Romano cited his experience as a small business owner, saying "I understand the challenges their facing" and called on the federal government to do more to support small business in regional Australia.
Last week, Andrew Gee backed his record in the community after coming under fire from SFF state upper house member Robert Borsak, citing investment in eliminating black spots and helping fund community groups.
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