STATE ELECTION: 11 FEBRUARY 2019

Nationals won’t need the votes in small towns

An extraordinary admission by a Nationals Party MP on Friday proves his party doesn’t care about small towns like Molong, Canowindra, Tullamore or Yeoval, says Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Orange candidate Phil Donato MP.

Austin Evans MP, member for Murray, told the town of Deniliquin he doesn’t need their vote, in response to pleas from local health advocates to boost funding for their dilapidated hospital. 

This was reported on the front page on Deniliquin’s Pastoral Times.

Local health advocates told Mr Evans substantial funding for Deniliquin Hospital would be a big boost to his re-election chances, after his narrow win in the October 2017 by-election.

Shirlee Burge, sitting opposite Mr Evans, was shocked when his response was “I don’t need Deniliquin”, which she took to mean he did not need votes in Deniliquin to be re-elected next month.

Mrs Burge said she would “go to court” to defend her recollection of the event.

Mr Evans claims he was misquoted, but admitted to discussing not needing votes in the context of the hospital funding.

“I had said that if you look at the last election, I lost in all of the Deni booths,” Mr Evans said, according to the Pastoral Times. “So I highlighted that you don’t need to win all the Deni booths to be elected.”

Member for Orange Phil Donato MP, SFF candidate, said this is a major worry for people in towns like Molong, Canowindra, Peak Hill, Tullamore and Yeoval, in the electorate of Orange.

“We know towns like Molong, Canowindra, Peak Hill, Tullamore and Yeoval are having their services cut and being neglected by this Government,” said Mr Donato.

“Now we know why.

“The Nationals believe they can win our seat by concentrating on big population centres like Orange.

“So you’re going to get very little if you live in a small town and the Nationals claim the seat of Orange. Because there are not enough votes for them to bother.”

Mr Donato said he found such comments outrageous.

“Health care should be based on needs, not votes,” he said.

“Small towns like Canowindra, Molong, Peak Hill, Tullamore and Yeoval need to let people know they don’t need the Nationals either on 23 March,” Mr Donato said.

Based on information issued by Mr Donato’s office.