The future of Farrer is on the line and we cannot be a ‘once upon a time’ story.
Where once upon a time Farrer produced food and fibre to feed each other, the nation and even the world, now it is largely an apology for the failure of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.
The Coalition, which initiated the plan, must be held accountable and it has been further distorted by Labor, who don’t even have the courage to face voters in this by-election.
How many times must the Murray Darling Basin authorities and government turn their heads away from the reality of the failure - environmentally, agronomically and socially?
How many more Basin suicides before one more is too many? Surely that was not priced into the plan.
They will be hit by reality at some stage. The deception is over. Farrer can no longer be a casualty.
This by-election and the choice we make on May 9 is the pathway to our future. For no longer will Farrer be invisible to the nation.
We have many organisations working together and they have developed sensible solutions, which the MDBA and the Albanese Government ignore. This includes a 5-point plan from Southern Riverina Irrigators and an adaptable roadmap from Murray Regional Strategy Group.
The 5-point plan could deliver a new pathway, with local participation, local business growth and economic resilience.
We also need red tape reduction, payroll tax reductions, ideas for economic reform, health reform, child care reform … meaningful, lasting reform.
The truth rather than an agenda should be the outcome for Farrer reform.
While many existing policies are national, their impact is always local. It is time to restore public trust, and restore Farrer trust.
Farrer needs change. We do not need a major party with national policies, we need Farrer policies.
Winning Farrer back for our communities will be bold, it will take leadership, courage and principles.
Who can deliver on all of these?
Michelle Milthorpe is hardworking, honest and has proven results. And most importantly, we can trust her.
While today is my final column in this series, it marks new beginnings for Farrer. Thank you to everyone for the feedback, brave conversations and input.
Farrer is now a marginal seat. Previous representation failed to act in our community’s best interest, or Farrer’s best interest. Our electorate now has attention. All we need is the courage for reform and recovery - a positive campaign for change and truly a Fair Go For Farrer.
- Contributed by Vicki Meyer
• Authorised by Vicki Meyer, ‘Werrina’, 14 McCallum Road, Warragoon NSW 2710.
