Political party: Australian Labor Party

Age: 24

Where do you live? Coonabarabran

What do you do for a living? Farm Hand and Teachers aide

How long have you lived in the electorate? 24 years

What is the best part of living in the electorate?

The thing I love most about our region is community. If someone is going through a tough time there is always help on hand - the Australian spirit.

Why are you running for the federal seat of Parkes?

"The standard you walk past is the one you accept." I believe we need to see the actions of our politicians reflect the views and wishes of the voting public. Let us do away with the personal attacks, lets us stop the corruption. So as we can build our nation for the next century, not just the next election.

Namoi Unlimited recently released its list of priorities for the next Parkes MP, including the below. If elected, what will you do towards:

* water security?

For me water security is a matter of national security, personally I do not support the expansion of CSG in the Pilliga and surrounds, I do not support any mining on the Liverpool plains. We have the capacity to feed the world and that is something I will always protect. Further, our plans are clear. Take the MBDP for example; we want to move the anti-corruption watch dog out of the MDBA and into the EPA to ensure independence of corruption investigations. Further from that update the since by which we regulate water to ensure that the management decision made are as well informed as possible.

* supporting agribusiness to further drought-proof towns?

Labor we establish a Farm Productivity and Sustainable Profitability Plan Which will be developed by an expert panel including scientists, economists, research bodies and farm industry leaders. The expert panel will be in place within 60 days following an election and will report to Government within 12 months. Its advice will be made public and the Labor Cabinet will review and embrace its strategy to put more farmers on the path to sustainable profitability.

* continued funding and support for road upgrades such as Rangari Road?

Over the course of this campaign I have spend a lot of time on the road, I think we can all agree that the better the road the safer we are. I would, therefore, continue to support the upgrading of our roads.

* investment in young people and their careers?

Firstly we want to see the rebuilding of TAFE with a $100 million Building Better TAFE fund, in addition to this we will change the rules around 457 visas making it much harder to bring in overseas workers unless a real skills shortage can be proven. As well as making at least 1 in 10 positions on public projects apprentice positions and mandating that those public projects be offered to local business firstly.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing issues facing the electorate?

Water management, education and jobs.

What would you say are the most pressing issues facing the Gunnedah area specifically?

I will be in Gunnedah before the election because I want to hear from residents on what they believe are the most pressing issues, my job if elected is not to preach but support those in the community who live the issues every day.

What are your key election promises?

An extra 34 million for the schools of the electorate:

- Gunnedah South Public $810,000

- Gunnedah High school $780,000

- Gunnedah Public school $280,000

What is your message to the voters?

If elected I will listen, I believe that an MP's job is to listen to the people he represents and carry their voice to Canberra regardless of all else.

Subscribe to receive all of your local news, for only $2 per week.