With the Murray by-election taking place on Saturday, residents have been urged to make their vote count.
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The Coleambally and Darlington Point community will be able to vote at Coleambally Central School and Murrumbidgee Shire Council chambers in Darlington Point.
Other polling booths are open in Griffith at Griffith North Public School, Griffith Public School, Wade High School and Griffith PCYC.
The candidates:
Austin Evans, National Party:
Coleambally’s Austin Evans has emphasised the Nationals and their track record in Murray, citing investments in locals hospitals, schools, roads and infrastructure over the past few years.
Mr Evans has also promised to push for a timeline for the new Griffith Base Hospital but does not support an external investigation into the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD).
He’s also cited water issues as a top priority.
Helen Dalton, Shooters Fishers and Farmers:
Shooters and Fisher’s candidate Helen Dalton has said Murray has faced years of neglect from the National Party.
Her campaign has listed the top priorities as fairer water rights, reversing the National Park declaration of timber, funding for hospitals and rural incentive programs for teachers, nurses and other skilled staff.
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Peter Robinson, Independent:
Peter Robinson has said that, under him, Murray would see the creation of a new rural medical school. He also wants more research on how the Murray Darling Basin operates in South Australia.
“My core electoral platform is for NSW (with or without Victoria) to undertake a study of what's best for the South Australian environment,” he said.
“The Murray Darling Basin Plan is a political imbroglio, in which the bulk of environmental water is deployed to keep Lake Alexandrina fresh water rather than in its natural state.”
Michael Kidd, Labor
Michael Kidd and Labor have campaigned against TAFE and health cuts in the Murray electorate, also highlighting neglect of the electorate by the National Party.
Mr Kidd said Murray would see more funding for TAFE services under a Labor candidate.
He also supports an external inquiry into Murrumbidgee Local Health District.
“We’re demanding an investigation into the outsourcing of instrument sterilisation services and the failed attempt to cut pathology services at Griffith Base Hospital,” he said.
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Bryan Mills, Independent
Independent Bryan Mills has highlighted key issues within campaign.
He has committed to removing barrages and reinstating estuarine conditions in the Lower Lakes and disbanding the Murray Darling Basin Authority
Mr Mills also wants to ban cancerous orange concentrate in Hospitals and Meals on Wheels and to encourage pensioners to join Seniors United Party Australia (SUPA).
Ray Goodlass, Greens
Green’s Ray Goodlass has put water security at the forefront of his campaign.
“I am campaigning for water security for the environment, agriculture and urban communities, and for proper oversight of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan through the Greens plan to establish a Sustainable Water Institute,” he said.
“Which has been fully costed, because we all depend on ecological sustainability and a healthy river system.”
“I am also campaigning for an equitable share of public services for regional NSW in general and the Murray electorate, especially for health, education and public transport.”
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Polling booths will be open from 8am - 6pm.
