Mr McCormack said he would be keen to continue his tenure as the Member for Riverina, saying he had secured significant federal funding for many projects across the region during his 10 years in office.

He said the government was currently rolling out $1 billion in investments for the Kapooka Blamey Barracks and Wagga RAAF Base alone, as well as $27 million in upgrades for Riverina roads through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program.

"The Wagga Wagga Central Business District is now protected from a one-in-100-year flooding event thanks to my advocacy to deliver $10 million to the project," Mr McCormack said.

"The multipurpose complex at Wagga Wagga's Equex centre received a $4.4 million grant and the beautification of the Botanic Gardens has been possible due to a $4.2 million Building Better Regions Fund grant."

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Wagga mayor Greg Conkey said Mr McCormack had worked well with Wagga City Council during his term in office.

"Since I've become mayor we've worked closely together and we're in regular contact, and I know how passionate he is about the Riverina in general and Wagga particularly," Councillor Conkey said.

However, Cr Conkey said he would like to see Mr McCormack do something about Wagga Airport, which is currently bleeding millions of dollars in losses.

Cr Conkey said Wagga was still paying "substantial" lease fees to the federal government, and that he would like to see the government pick up more of the slack.

"He's fully aware about my feelings about the airport and he's working with us concerning that, so that's one outcome we need to see from the federal government," Cr Conkey said.

Country Labor member Tim Kurylowicz, who twice ran against Mr McCormack for the seat of Riverina, said he thought Mr McCormack was a "party player" who did not have a clear agenda as an individual.

"He's got one of the most powerful positions in the country, but yet he's never articulated what his vision is. You never get a sense of what he's trying to achieve with his time in office," Dr Kurylowicz said.

"I've never heard him stand up for anything. I say that with immense respect to a man who works hard, but I don't think he's fighting for anybody but himself."

Mr McCormack has comfortably won the seat at the last four federal elections, enjoying a margin of almost 20 per cent after his success at the 2019 poll.

He is one of the most senior figures in federal politics, also serving as Nationals leader, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, and Regional Development.

The federal election has not yet been called, however prime minister Scott Morrison has indicated it would not be this year, but would be some time in 2022.

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This is the full statement from Michael McCormack, member for Riverina.

"I am proud to have worked tirelessly for the people of the Riverina and Central West, delivering the outcomes regional and rural Australians deserve.

"Over my 10 years in Parliament, I have fought on behalf of the local communities I was sent to Canberra to represent to achieve significant outcomes such as the Murray-Darling Rural Medical School - my first priority when I became Deputy Prime Minister - which will be such a game-changer for retaining doctors in regional and rural areas. The Wagga Wagga Base Hospital precinct will be the site of one of these important doctor training hubs and University of New South Wales students have already commenced their studies.

"The Wagga Wagga Central Business District is now protected from a one-in-100-year flooding event thanks to my advocacy to deliver $10 million to the project.

"We have continued to deliver mobile phone connectivity to many small communities but we know the job is not over.

"COVID-19 has been devastating for so many and The Nationals in Government have taken pragmatic action to address the economic and health impacts of the pandemic head on.

"This is what we will continue to do as we build our future and recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

"The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program has been very successful by directly injecting more than $27 million to the 12 Local Government Areas I represent, creating hundreds of jobs and delivering much-needed infrastructure at the local level.

"We are building dams. In the north-east of the Riverina electorate, the Federal Government is spending $650 million to raise the Wyangala Dam wall - doubling our commitment of $325 million - to increase water security in the Lachlan Valley.

"The multipurpose complex at Wagga Wagga's Equex centre received a $4.4 million grant and the beautification of the Botanic Gardens has been possible due to a $4.2 million Building Better Regions Fund grant. We are providing better facilities for sport and recreation for Wagga Wagga families, giving children in our region every opportunity to be their best selves.

"Federal Government funding in the millions has been delivered to upgrade main streets in towns across the electorate, including Cootamundra, Cowra, Forbes, Grenfell, Gundagai and Parkes. Making our towns more liveable will ensure not just their long-term survival, but their ability to thrive into the future.

"We are continuing to roll out a close to $1 billion investment into RAAF Base Wagga and Blamey Barracks, Kapooka, with the fast-tracking of this investment announced in July last year. Defence is such an important contributor to the local economy, creating many jobs for local small businesses and trades.

"This is on top of our commitment to delivering tax cuts to hard-working Australians who deserve to keep more of their money and creating the right economic conditions to supercharge the economy to create even more jobs for Australians, particularly in regional and rural Australia, where the Regional Australia Institute has identified more than 66,000 jobs available right now."

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