The second candidate on councillor Yvonne Braid’s ticket moved to Wagga 38 years ago under the state government's Aboriginal resettlement scheme.

After three decades in the health service, Mr Packer wants to attract more business to Wagga in his bid to fight the city’s youth crime scourge through lower unemployment.

How did councillor Yvonne Braid convince you to run on her ticket?

I aligned with Yvonne because I like the lady and we’ve worked well on council committees together, mainly focused on issues concerning the Aboriginal communities in Ashmont and Tolland.

What are the biggest issues Wagga faces?

We need to make Wagga more attractive for businesses and make the process easier for them to move here so more locals get jobs.

I’m concerned momentum behind the freight hub is dropping off and I will push that project hard because it promises to bring money and jobs to the city.

It’s important to develop Uranquinty and Mangoplah, complete with affordable housing.

I’m also keen to pursue an idea to shut off part of the main street to create an arcade like Pitt Street mall in the Sydney CBD.

Whats should council’s roads priority be?

The growth of Wagga is putting strain on our roads and we need better road infrastructure to handle new suburbs like Estella and Boorooma.

Glenfield, Bourkelands and Lloyd are growing very quickly and the traffic has caused bottlenecks that need addressing.

How important is your indigenous heritage to your candidacy?

Very important; I am an Aboriginal person with Aboriginal children and grandchildren.

I want to be the voice for Aboriginals on council, but I want a better Wagga for the whole community.

There hasn’t been Aboriginal representation on council since Yvonne Gilschrist 10 years ago and I want to change that. 

What’s the answer to youth crime?

Youth crime is rampant in Wagga and it’s important to keep the issue on the agenda.

I haven’t got the solution, but I am willing to sit down and learn from the experts.

I can tell you from my 28 years involvement with indigenous health that when we get people jobs, the whole family turns around.