The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party have chosen Hilltops Council candidate Matt Stadtmiller as their man to run in the Cootamundra by-election.
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The former Harden Shire councillor said he would fight against forced rural Council amalgamations.
“My Local Government experience has taught me the reality that we cannot rely on the Nationals to stand up against bad Liberal party policies,” he said.
“I know what it is like when the Nats abandon rural people.
“Until last year’s Orange by-election, families in country towns didn’t have a strong, electable alternative to the National Party. That stops today.”
Stadtmiller questioned whether his National party opponent would be willing to stand up against bad policy like her predecessor.
"Katrina Hodgkinson was respected by the Cootamundra electorate because sometimes she was willing to cross the floor against her own party's bad agenda,” he said.
“I don't believe the new National Party candidate would be willing to do that so early in her career.
“The Cootamundra electorate desperately needs a strong voice."
But Cootamundra National Party candidate Steph Cooke rubbished those claims.
“One of the main reasons I was inspired to run for Cootamundra was because of the stand Katrina took on issues important to her communities,” she said.
“If elected I plan to invoke her spirit and do precisely the same thing, when necessary.”
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said if elected Steph Cooke will be at the table of Government.
“The Shooters will talk about what they want to do; we will talk about what we will do.”
Voters will head to the polls on Saturday October 14, 2017 when the state seat by- election is scheduled to take place.