A NEW candidate has entered the election race for the NSW seat of Murray.
Griffith-based teacher Greg Adamson has put his hand up as an independent, citing frustration with the quality of candidates being put forward for the March 25 election.
Incumbent Helen Dalton will contest the election as an independent after severing ties with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers last year, and The Nationals have preselected Edward River Mayor Peta Betts.
“I believe Helen Dalton has burnt her bridges with the Coalition, that she’s put herself in a position where it’s unlikely, should the Coalition get forward, that she will be able to deliver for the electorate of Murray,” Mr Adamson said.
“I’m not happy with Peta Betts as I was offered the opportunity to run for The Nationals. I still had to stand for preselection and get the endorsement of the party if I had’ve gone through it, there was an opportunity there back in September.
“Having been affiliated with The Nationals in the past, I believe they’re too heavily based in the north-east of NSW, and that The Nationals will always sell out our region’s interest to protect the majority of seats they hold in the north-east, where the issues are against the Greens.”
Mr Adamson is agriculturally trained, working as an agronomist before switching careers to teaching.
He is the second independent candidate contesting Murray. Wakool woolbroker David Landini announced his candidacy earlier this year.
“I believe it’s time that a true independent who can work with the executive government, be they Labor or Coalition, needs to represent this seat to fight for the issues that we need delivery on,” Mr Adamson said.
“I question whether party politics for our region is the best thing, and I’m seeing continual failures by the partisan approach to issues which are of national significance.”
He said he would not spend a lot of money campaigning and doesn’t expect to win, but he’ll try his best to be a campaign voice and represent the issues of local people.
Mr Adamson said he would also be unfazed if his previous ties to the National Party might be used as a weapon against him.
“I can’t hide the fact that economically I support the views of the Coalition when it comes to economics, but socially, as a teacher, I support public education, I support public hospitals.”
“I consider myself centralist and it may be used against me … but I no longer believe that the party can deliver for this region.”
Nominations close on March 8 and the ballot draw will be held on March 9.
