With the state election scheduled for March 23, The Daily Advertiser sat down with each of the candidates vying for the state seat.
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In the seven-part series, we asked the political hopefuls to share a bit about themselves and their vision for the electorate.
We’ve pulled together an overview of what they stand for, their background, and last words before election day.
In ballot order.
Seb McDonagh, Shooters, Farmers and Fishers Party
“No one should live at home in fear for their life and no one should be suffering that type of abuse.”
Bio in brief: An IT public servant, 47, who has lived in Oura for 10 years, has run for the seat once previously
Priorities: Drug and alcohol services in Wagga, domestic violence, juvenile justice issues, cost of living, water
Matt Quade, Independent
"We are losing so much in the rural areas now, where things are becoming so fragmented and they wonder why we have all these issues with isolation, loneliness."
Bio in brief: Tallimba-raised father of three, spent five years in French Foreign Legion, private security in Middle East and Africa, registered nurse
Priorities: Health, coronial autopsy services at Wagga Base Hospital, nurse retention, more police stations in Wagga, energy security
Colin Taggart, Australian Conservatives
"Four years ago 25,000 people voted for the Liberal Party. Those people haven't gone away. Social conservatives need to have a voice."
Bio in brief: Belfast-born magazine publisher who met his Wagga-born wife at Oxford University, former president of Wagga Liberals who quit when the party wouldn't run a candidate in the 2018 byelection
Priorities: Energy prices, crime, population increase plan
Joe McGirr, Independent
“People can see that I'm not afraid to criticise the government and speak on their behalf.”
Bio in brief: Incumbent MP, 58, who broke 60 years of Liberal rule after winning 2018 byelection, trained medical practitioner, former Wagga Base Hospital general manager, ran for member for Wagga in 2011 with the hospital redevelopment as his platform
Priorities: Community safety, crime prevention, social housing, facilities to match population growth
Daniel Hayes, Country Labour
“Wagga is the biggest inland city in NSW and people are travelling to Wodonga and Canberra to access women's health services. It blows my mind. Why isn't that here?”
Bio in brief: Psychologist, 38, born and raised in Wagga, father of one, current Wagga city councillor, previously ran in 2015 state election and 2018 byelection
Priorities: Health, education, cost of living, crime, forward planning for city's infrastructure
Ray Goodlass
"We built this wonderful new base hospital. They can't staff it. School buildings are run down, class sizes are too big, teachers are harassed."
Bio in brief: Riverina resident since 1979, retired senior lecturer at Charles Sturt University, long-term Greens candidate for Wagga and Riverina, chair of Multicultural Council of Wagga board, regular visitor to Palestine volunteering in refugee camps, former Wagga City councillor and deputy mayor, first openly gay person and Greens candidate elected to Wagga council
Priorities: Climate change, provisioning of public services, free tertiary education
Mackenna Powell
"My aim is to take the voice of our people to Sydney, not deliver the voice of Sydney back here."
Bio in brief: Insurance manager with ag finance experience, Riverina born and raised, mother of two adult daughters, strong farming background
Priorities: Crime, community safety, 24-hour drug, alcohol and domestic violence centre, mobile black spots, country roads funding
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