Barwon candidate a ‘passionate advocate’ for rural communities

Nationals candidate Annette Turner is busy touring the Barwon electorate and was in Narrabri Shire last week to meet constituents and hear residents’ concerns across the spectrum of rural issues.

Mrs Turner, married to Barry with three children, is a grazier on a 25,000ha interstate property near Whitecliffs.

The NSW state elections are not far off.

“I am beginning the campaign now for the March 25 election,” Mrs Turner said.

She will be touring the electorate to meet people, but it is familiar territory – the Barwon candidate points to her many years of experience in country community advocacy, rural life and agriculture as preparing her for the role of parliamentarian representing the huge electorate.

She spent 12 years in executive positions with the CWA and was state president for three years, succeeding Rowena resident Tanya Cameron in the top job.

Mrs Turner said she was passionate about the issues affecting rural people.

“I don’t have a background in politics, but I can offer the full, lived experience of rural life,” she said.

“The role of CWA presidency gave me an even deeper understanding of the issues and the further confidence to embark on my candidature for Barwon.”

Her role with the CWA brought her into close contact with all levels of government and community.

“Many are not aware of how much advocacy work CWA does right across the community,” Mrs Turner added.

“The issues I dealt with throughout NSW during the drought at state, local government and community levels further prepared me for a wider representation role.

“My experience gave me the passion for effective advocacy. More and more people came to me to ask how to solve issues and encouraged me to stand for parliament.”

In addition to her work at state level with the CWA, Mrs Turner has served on the regional advisory board for Telstra, the board for the Rural Assistance Authority, and the NSW Farmers Western Division Council, which covers 42 per cent of the state.

“I have been really involved with the issues affecting that 42 per cent of the state community,” she said.

“There is so much coming at us. It is a struggle being in business and living in regional and remote areas.

“Key matters among many will be the disparity in regions in health services, communications and connectivity. Social housing is rapidly becoming even more of an urgent challenge which we must address. It is a fact that nowadays women of my age are becoming homeless, and that is occurring right across the state.

“Water is a complex issue which we will be dealing with on a local government area basis – there are 13 local government areas in Barwon – as well as in the bigger state picture.

“And it is vital to maintain and increase the infrastructure investment going into rural areas.

“If we lose that level of investment and provision of services, people will stop moving to the regions.”

Mrs Turner said she was traversing the Barwon electorate, meeting groups and individuals, hearing concerns and encouraging feedback.

“I will be working hard between now and Christmas and then continuing immediately after Christmas right through to the March elections.”