A grain farmer turned political water campaigner is preparing to launch his own political party in a bid to oust four sitting Coalition MPs, including Michael McCormack, at the next federal election.
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Irrigator Chris Brooks said his party is gunning for the seats at the next federal election and is confident there will be a swing away from traditional Coalition voting.
"I am far from happy with our existing members enjoying life while the rest of us are going broke," he said.
Mr Brooks' party - which is yet to be registered and therefore yet to release its name - will target Nationals leader Michael McCormack's Riverina electorate, Liberal Sussan Ley's seat of Farrer, Victorian National MP Damian Drum's seat of Nicholls near Shepparton and Anna Webster's Mallee seat based in Mildura.
Mr Brooks, who is also the chair of Southern Riverina Irrigators, financially and publicly backed Kevin Mack's failed bid for Farrer the 2019 election, but said that campaign helped them "learn a lot about the dirty game of politics".
"Most obviously water has taken billions of dollars out of this region," he said.
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"I know we didn't win last time but I also know there are a hell of a lot more people in Albury who accept they are reliant on rural income.
Mr McCormack told The Stock and Land that anyone was entitled to put their hand up for Parliament.
"No one will deliver for regional communities, as the The Nationals have done for 100 years," Mr McCormack said.
"Our members fight day and night for their regions.
"No one is a more fierce or passionate advocate for what regional Australians need, want and deserve than a Nationals member."
Mr McCormack said independent members had the added challenge of not being at the decision table.
"The Nationals are at the table, making decisions and delivering billions of dollars and better outcomes for regional communities," he said.
Mr Brooks put the 2019 Farrer loss down to some "macro issues" but said he would "prefer" not to run himself at the next election. "We will have strong candidates in all four seats," he said.
"In 2019 there were issues like your franking credits and capital gains tax that were going to affect a lot of retired wealthier people in Albury.
"And I know damn well there is probably 10 to 15 per cent of the people now accept that the water and rural produce in the electorate of Farrer does actually go a long way to supporting the economy of Albury."
Mr Brooks said the party has the financial backing of some "very wealthy rural-based companies".
Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said Mr Brook's perspective "has always been political".
"I think people are tired of his scattergun approach to water politics, where the complexity of an issue is ignored by simply chasing someone to blame," she said.
"Water is an incredibly important issue for all our community and the focus should be on practical long term solutions, not on promises of accessing water that isn't there - the Keelty report made that clear."