The outspoken Wagga councillor was nominated with 103 votes out of a possible 114 by the party, which believes the electorate is "up for grabs", saying incumbent Nationals member Michael McCormack is out of touch with the residents' needs.

Mr Funnell said he would challenge Mr McCormack and other Riverina candidates to a public debate to thrash out what he believed were critical issues.

"Candidates need to prove to voters that politics is about the people," Mr Funnell said. 

"That voters and politicians care about the same thing."

Mr Funnell said policy which supported small business and greater opposition to foreign takeover bids were important, lamenting the actions taken by Mr McCormack over the proposed takeover of Graincorp by American company Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

"A single letter," Mr Funnell said.

"Riverina residents want more than that.

"They want to know jobs and industry will be protected."

Despite Mr McCormack obtaining 45 per cent of the vote in 2010, Mr Funnell said he was confident of a swing.

"A lot of people believe an independent vote is wasted, but the exact opposite is true," he said.

This announcement follows the Greens naming Ros Prangnell and the Rise Up Australia Party naming school teacher Kim Heath as candidates standing in September.