MEMBER for Farrer Sussan Ley has defended her 20-year stranglehold on the federal NSW seat after a non-partisan community group accused her of failing to deliver.
The Liberal deputy leader pointed to more than $500 million in federal funding to the electorate during the previous term of government.
“I am actually very proud of that spending, with $146 million to local projects and programs across the Wentworth, Balranald and Hay Shires as well as Murray River and Edward River councils,” Ms Ley said.
“And what’s happened with the return of a Labor government? They’ve cut spending here and in regional economies across the country.
“Then we have the double-whammy impact of cost-of-living pressures – mortgages, rents, groceries, fuel … everything costs more under this government.”
Community group Voices of Farrer was established in 2022 as a grassroots movement “energised by the idea of doing politics differently”.
Voices of Farrer events co-ordinator Sharon Potocnik last week said a “growing” number of Farrer constituents were voicing their opinion that three-quarters of a century in office was a long time for “one political perspective to hold sway”.
“These discussions demonstrate that the people of Farrer are rejecting the status quo and are seeking representation that puts people before political parties,” Ms Potocnik said.
Ms Ley claimed Voices of Farrer wanted an end to oppositional two-party politics.
The House of Representatives is currently made up of 133 major-party MPs, 12 independents, four Greens, and one each from Centre Alliance and Katter’s Australian Party.
“The reality of Australia’s political system is that only a party of government can deliver real outcomes,” Ms Ley said.
“A vote for a nice person who might profess to be a local champion means you can get stuck with someone who can do nothing, with a lot of flip-flopping but not much consistent policy substance.
“The group also wants more community involvement and consultation in decision-making.
“This already happens in Farrer. The Pooncarie-Menindee Road sealing, Wentworth Civic Centre upgrade, the changerooms at Greenham Park in Balranald, Hay’s new recycling plant through to Moama’s preschool are each local ideas which I was asked to help make happen.
“Over 31 weeks of last year, I was in various parts of my electorate, talking and meeting with people, listening to their needs and ideas. The only reason it wasn’t more than that, was the 20 weeks spent attending parliament in Canberra.
“That’s the job of a local MP and I am proud to stand on my record of delivery in Farrer. It just so happens I am also proud to represent the Liberal Party.
“My door is always open.”
Voices of Farrer planned to continue to meet with communities early this year and seek a candidate to run against Ms Ley in the middle of the year.
