'Anyone But Nats' aims at Wagga elections: Riverina MP Michael McCormack dismisses group and defends Nationals

The group, co-founded by Narrabri-based agribusiness adviser Rohan Boehm, has raised $60,000 to sell the claim that the Nationals are no longer the true representatives of rural Australia.

The event would pit the group up against the Nationals’ efforts to retake the Wagga state seat in March for the Coalition.

It would also present a potential threat to federal Riverina MP Michael McCormack.

Mr Boehm told The Daily Advertiser that Wagga was on the list of places the group wanted to hold a ‘town hall’ meeting to hear from residents.

“Right across regional Australia there’s a very strong thought that we need totally different representation,” he said. 

“We will support anyone who is not a Nat, really. It’s pretty straightforward.

“There have been strong independent candidates in recent times and we thought it was good timing.”

Mr McCormack said he was prepared to attend “genuine” town hall meetings.

“Organised and genuine meet-the-candidate forums and town hall meetings play an important role in our democracy – as the Member for Riverina I have always endeavoured to attend these,” he said. 

“And the same stands for the forthcoming federal election.”

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Mr Boehm denied that the group was targeting the Riverina electorate because Mr McCormack was the National Party leader and Deputy Prime Minister.

“I don’t really care if he’s the leader; he’s the local member,” Mr Boehm said.

“If his party, as the pre-eminent climate denialists, can take the handbrake off renewable energy then new industries can come to regional areas.”

In response, Mr McCormack said the Nationals had a “common sense” approach to energy policy that prioritised lower prices and non-reliance on taxpayer subsidies.

Mr McCormack also defended the party’s legacy of representing rural and regional areas.

“We stand by our record of achievement and delivery in government, in major policy areas such as infrastructure, health, education and agriculture,” he said.

“Minor and independent candidates, and those who represent a single protest issue, have come and gone.”

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