Dr Mary Ross founded the Trail Street Medical Centre seven years ago, and joined the local Labor Party branch the year after. 

Since then, Dr Ross said she has slowly become more and more involved in political life. 

“I had the honour of being asked to serve on the administrative committee by the general secretary of the Labor Party,” Dr Ross said.

“From there, I became more noticed as a person who speaks up about regional areas and regional needs.” 

Just last week, Labor Party members met in Sydney and officially endorsed Dr Ross as a candidate for their Senate ticket.

Dr Ross said she hopes to use her Senate run as an opportunity to bring better medical services to regional Australians. 

“I've always taken an interest in politics, but I’m particularly interested in some of the policies labor has to offer in the area of health care and medical services,” Dr Ross said. 

“I’d like to broaden the services available in the drug and alcohol sector, and I’m very committed to improving access for patients to general practice.” 

Sitting at the top of her political to-do list was tackling the medicare rebate freeze, injecting more funds into primary care, and making access to medical services easier, fairer, and cheaper for ordinary Australians. 

In less than two weeks’ time, Dr Ross will attend NSW Labor’s state conference in Sydney, where she and her fellow Senate nominees will have their endorsements voted on – the final step in becoming an official party candidate. 

If elected, Dr Ross said the opportunity to give Wagga’s residents a voice on the Senate floor would change her life forever. 

“I'm super excited – I never thought I would be in this position - especially now, when Labor is so strong and has such relevant policies, particularly for the country,” she said. 

“The opportunity to serve the Australian people in parliament is just unimaginable – it would just be a dream come true.” 

NSW Labor’s state conference will be held at Sydney’s Town Hall on June 30 and July 1.

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