Federal election: Elizabeth Fisher named Nationals contender in Indi

Rutherglen farmer Elizabeth Fisher has been preselected by the Nationals to take on Helen Haines for the border seat at the upcoming election.

A farmer from near Rutherglen who has also been at the coal face of helping community groups secure government funding will be the Nationals candidate in the seat of Indi at the federal election.

Elizabeth Fisher admits she had no rural experience until she met her husband Neil, a sixth-generation Browns Plains farmer, in the early 2000s.

But she has been a quick learner and attaining a truck licence to overcome a Covid-related shortage of drivers at harvest time is the latest addition to her farmer tool kit.

A project officer for the forerunner to Regional Development Australia was Mrs Fisher’s first job when she moved to the northeast and the mother of three high school aged daughters is now poised to take on independent Helen Haines as the Nationals candidate in Indi.

“I didn’t have to do this, but the reason I agreed was because I strongly believe in regional development,” she said.

“My plan is to get out in the community, meet people, attend community groups, listen to them, note their concerns and communicate that to Canberra.

“The independent can tell people what funding programs are available for them to apply for.

“But those funding programs and the money in the budget for them happened because the Nationals negotiated with the Liberals as part of the Coalition.”

The Nationals have contested Indi at the last two federal elections after Dr Haines’ predecessor Cathy McGowan claimed the seat from Liberal Sophie Mirabella in 2013.

Indi Nationals candidate Elizabeth Fisher and husband Neil on their Browns Plains property. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Fisher will be the Nationals’ first female candidate in Indi after Marty Corboy secured 17 per cent of the primary vote in 2013 before suffering an eight per cent swing three years later when former Wodonga mayor Mark Byatt was the candidate.

Dr Haines extended independent rule in Indi in 2019 on preferences after Liberal Steve Martin topped the primary vote count.

Wahgunyah’s Ross Lyman has been endorsed as the Liberals candidate for this year’s election.

The Fishers have been Nationals members for more than a year and are long-time members of the Victorian Farmers Federation.