Wagga candidates for 2023 NSW election and their pitches

The state election candidates for Wagga have revealed top their priorities as campaigning ramps up to polling day.

Meet the candidates for the Wagga electorate in the 2023 NSW election. Picture: Contributed

In less than a week, Wagga constituents will flock to the polling booths and decide who will lead the next chapter of the region’s future in politics.

With March 25 approaching and pre polling now open, campaigns are in full swing and seven politically diverse candidates are vying for the Wagga seat held by independent Dr Joe McGirr.

The candidates putting up their hands to represent the people of Wagga have revealed their top priorities should they get elected. Here is what they had to say.

Ray Goodlass – Greens

Greens candidate for Wagga Ray Goodlass. Picture: Contributed

1. Why are you running?

To provide progressive minded Riverina residents the opportunity to vote Greens. Only the Greens have the real answers to the problem the electorate faces, unlike the other parties, who merely tinker around the edges. To broadcast the greens policies, as the mainstream media largely ignores them.

2. How long have you lived in the electorate/area?

44 years.

3. What is your final pitch to voters?

When elected I will take action to save endangered species and protect threatened ecosystems. Tackling and surviving the climate crisis will be a high priority. To these ends the Greens will phase out coal and gas mining by 2030. I will also work to establish a koala sanctuary in Wagga Wagga.

The Greens will provide much better pay and working conditions for frontline public servants such as nurses, teachers, ambos, fireys and other first responders. We depend on these public servants, and they deserve to be well treated.

We will institute stringent and meaningful in-person and online gambling reform. Both the Liberal/Nationals government and Labor’s plans to introduce cashless gaming cards are merely tinkering around the edges. As a Greens MP I will tackle the issue head-on by phasing out pokies from pubs and clubs. They should be restricted to casinos.

To achieve true reconciliation with our First Nations people we must adopt a three-way approach. A Voice to state parliament is essential, but so too is a Truth-telling process and a Treaty, all of which can be achieved if we approach reconciliation with open minds and generous hearts.

Duplicate the Gobba bridge, re-route the Inland rail around population centres such as Wagga, and bypass Edward Street by building a Sturt Highway bypass.

4. What will you do to help the housing/cost of living crisis in the Riverina?

We will make housing affordable, provide free public transport, and put power assets back in state hands and bring down energy bills. We will establish a new government-owned electricity retailer and will scrap the public sector wage cap and fully fund public education.

Raymond Gentles – Public Education Party

1. Why are you running?

Ray Gentles is a public school advocate having spent more than forty years in the service of public education. He was a teacher and an executive in schools in Sydney West before heading to Bungendore PS where he was the Principal for 12 years. On his return to Sydney he led the public education commitment to World Youth Day and then worked as team leader in the Building Education Revolution that successfully achieved more facilities for every school in NSW. Ray has grandchildren who attend public schools and is committed to ensuring that public education schools are well resourced and better equipped to provide opportunities for all students across NSW.

2. How long have you lived in the electorate/area?

Mr Gentles did not answer this question.

3. What is your final pitch to voters?

Ray is determined that every child and young person in the Wagga electorate has access to a world class education that includes a well resourced learning environment and a quality curriculum that is delivered by subject specific, qualified teachers.

4. What will you do to help the housing/cost of living crisis in the Riverina?

Ray is familiar with the challenges of living in regional NSW where medical and allied professionals are transient and often difficult to access. The cost of living pressures, including increased power bills, impacts on families and children alike. Ray seeks to become a prominent advocate.

Christopher Smith – Shooters, fishers and farmers party

Shooters, fishers and farmers candidate for Wagga Christopher Smith. Picture: Shooters, fishers and farmers

Christopher Smith is running for the Shooters, fishers and farmers party and was contacted for comment, however did not respond.

Julia Ham – Liberals

Julia Ham – Liberal Candidate for Wagga Wagga. Picture: Facebook

Why are you running?

I am running because I know Liberals work for Wagga as seen by the delivered projects. I am strongly advocating for the Gobbagombalin Bridge, better regional roads and continuing to support young families.

2. How long have you lived in the electorate/area?

All my life.

3. What is your final pitch to voters?

Should you want your electorate to continue growing with accompanying infrastructure to support the growth vote 1 LIBERAL FOR A STRONG VOICE IN PARLIAMENT.

4. What will you do to help the housing/cost of living crisis in the Riverina?

The NSW Service NSW vouchers are providing support to families. That with the option now given to first home buyers to forego paying stamp duty upfront is making housing more accessible.

Keryn Foley – Labor

Labor candidate for Wagga Wagga Keryn Foley. Picture: Facebook

1. Why are you running?

I am running because I believe I have the knowledge, skills and fortitude to serve my community in parliament. I will be a strong advocate for my electorate, and I will work as an integral part of a team that has innovative and fresh ideas to govern effectively.

2. How long have you lived in the electorate/area?

I moved to Wagga Wagga in 1973, in my youth travelled, and returned home to raise my family.

3. What is your final pitch to voters?

Australia is a wonderful country of rich heritage and huge potential for future growth. Currently we face huge challenges of workforce and skills shortages, growing inequality, and financial stress on households. The people of NSW are demanding targeted infrastructure projects are allocated according to need not on the basis of your political postcode. I want to ensure the people of NSW grow and prosper. We can have a strong economy and care for our people at the same time.

4. What will you do to help the housing/cost of living crisis in the Riverina?

Labor has comprehensive short term and long term plans to assist first home buyers, build social housing and support people who are renting. They will support the organisations currently supporting people who are destitute.

Dr Joe McGirr – Independent

Independent member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr. Picture: Contributed

1. Why are you running?

I am standing for re-election because Wagga Wagga deserves an independent voice that delivers positive outcomes for the community.

The regions need a stand-alone rural health department and that means retaining a Regional Health Minister. We need to improve health outcomes for those living in regional areas.

I want to advocate for the infrastructure we need for our region including a duplicated Gobba bridge, transmission towers underground, better housing and safer roads.

The community deserves better than what they get with the major parties.

2. How long have you lived in the electorate/area?

I served as a junior doctor at St Vincent's but was often rotated to Wagga Wagga which is where my wife Kerin Fielding and I really met. We would often make trips between Sydney and Wagga Wagga but eventually settled in Wagga Wagga in 1991 and have been here since.

I became the Director of the Emergency Department at Wagga Wagga Base Hospital and worked in senior roles in health administration and at Notre Dame university and since 2018 have served as the local member.

Kerin and I have been lucky to raise our four children here in Wagga Wagga.

3. What is your final pitch to voters?

Voting for an independent means having a local member who isn‘t beholden to the major parties. I can advocate for both local and state issues without fear or favour from factions or being hamstrung by a party room.

Voting for an independent means having for a local member who can work with all sides of politics rather than one side or the other.

My stand as an independent has meant a first-class hospital in Wagga Wagga and Tumut, advocacy on undergrounding Humelink, anti-corruption and integrity standards for politicians.

4. What will you do to help the housing/cost of living crisis in the Riverina?

I recently announced an interest-free solar panel installation scheme that can save users nearly $1800 per annum. This scheme is for singles earning up to $90 000 and for households earning up to $120 000 and is also available for small businesses that satisfy that eligibility criteria.

We need to build more social and affordable houses and that means streamlining approval processes within the department of planning and resourcing local councils with the resources they need to review development applications quicker. The Tolland Renewal Project, a project I sponsored and advocated for, should be the model moving forward.

Andrianna Benjamin – The Nationals

Nationals candidate for Wagga Wagga Andrianna Benjamin. Picture: Facebook

Andrianna Benjamin is running for the Nationals and was contacted for comment, however did not respond.