TUMUT Shire Council and the Federal Coalition are at loggerheads about which electorate the town and surrounds should fit into at the next election.
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In separate submissions, both the Liberals and Nationals have proposed Tumut and its surrounding region be moved out of Riverina and into neighbouring Farrer.
In the past four federal elections Tumut has been shunted between Farrer, Eden-Monaro to the east and Riverina.
In a submission to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) concerning the redistribution process currently underway, Tumut mayor Trina Thomson implored it to leave Tumut where it is.
“We would respectively point out that the relationship between the three tiers of government is important and is best built on mutual respect that enables robust discussions that enable best outcomes for all parties,” she wrote. “This is difficult to achieve when your community is one of the first to be potentially moved at every electorate redistribution.”
The commission has decreed, due to population changes, Western Australia will gain an extra seat and NSW will lose one at next year’s federal election, necessitating the abolition of an electorate and a redrawing of boundaries for the rest.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack has bucked his party line’s and is backing Tumut to remain in his electorate.
“I would like to see Riverina retained in its current form,” he said. “Riverina actually meets (population) quota – when you’re on a good thing, stick to it.”
Mr McCormack said Tumut and Tumbarumba, which has also been slated for change, shared a natural affinity with his electorate, particularly its major centre of Wagga.
“Tumut and Tumbarumba teams play in Group Nine (rugby league) – in health, socially and all sorts of aspects (they) more align themselves with Wagga than they do with Albury,” he said.
However, should the AEC elect to carve the towns off from Riverina, Mr McCormack said he would still do his best to contribute to them.