THIS election the Libertarian Party has elected Sally Edwards, a farmer from the Warrumbungle region, as its candidate for Parkes, with the new candidate aiming to “protect the regions from being walked all over by government without their involvement and consent.”
Ms Edwards’ background includes over a decade in rural community development, working in roles across the beef supply chain and being a small business owner.
In recent years she also volunteered as a community representative for the Warrumbungle Region on the EnergyCo Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) community reference group, objecting to the project (which has since reached financial close and will commence construction in coming months).
“I volunteered to participate in a community representative role with EnergyCo because they were rolling out REZ here, there were significant challenges with having the voices of our local communities that were impacted heard, and difficult to have changes made,” Ms Edwards said.
This project pushed Ms Edwards to put her hand up for the role of Libertarian Parkes candidate.
“Working within that space, within community development, it is my concerns for the future of rural and regional Australia that prompted me to throw my hat in the ring,” she said.
Ms Edwards also said her passion for rural communities highly influences her campaign pillars.
“It is with that understanding and passion for helping communities that I know want to have a little control over their direction and not be walked all over by government policy that they had no participation in creating,” she said.
“I want to see the Federal Parliament be honest, transparent and accountable in the way that it governs; that is what I’m primarily standing for.
“Energy policy and the transition to renewables is high up on my priority list; to help protect the regions from being walked all over without their involvement and consent.
“We can chip away at all the policy, legislation and funding decisions to make sure that those are in the best interests of the electorate.
“Broken Hill and the industries are different. I understand it’s a mining community.
“I believe that the futures of our communities and our regions need to be designed by those that live there.
“So Broken Hill might have different ambitions or different priorities for what they want to further their future in, but I would like to represent those from their level.
“I don’t wish to be part of a party that designs a region’s future or a state’s future for them.”
