Lucie Wightman preselected for the Nationals in Barwon

A Gilgandra-based newspaper publisher has been preselected to contest the seat of Barwon for the NSW Nationals at the March state election.

Lucie Wightman was officially announced as the party’s candidate for the state’s largest electorate following a preselection event held in Nyngan.

Ms Wightman, a former regional newspaper journalist, has owned the Gilgandra Weekly since 2016

after purchasing the publication at the age of 28.

She is a life member of the state’s peak newspaper body, Country Press NSW, and had previously served as the association’s president for several years.

Ms Wightman said she was honoured to gain preselection to contest Barwon.

“As a regional publisher and peak industry advocate, I have spent the past decade giving voice to regional NSW – fighting for our towns, listening to farming families, and holding power to account,” she said. “Now I have the opportunity to continue that fight in the NSW Parliament.

“The Nationals are the only party solely dedicated to regional Australia, built on a grassroots foundation where local branches drive real policy outcomes. I want to stand under this banner to shift Barwon from crossbench isolation back into a position of genuine influence. I will deliver the strong, effective representation Western NSW needs.”

As a state election candidate, Ms Wightman said she had three key priority areas.

“People shouldn’t be penalised because of where they choose to live. Regional health and the retention of medical services need to be urgently addressed. We need to boost spending on roads and infrastructure, and we need to protect our regional communities,” she said.

“The Nationals have a proud history in Barwon, with the seat being held by MPs including former Deputy Premier Wal Murray, and I look forward to continuing that history,”

Ms Wightman said.

NSW Nationals’ leader Gurmesh Singh has welcomed Ms Wightman to The Nationals team.

“It’s great to have Lucie join our team to run for Barwon,” Mr Singh said.

“The biggest electorate in NSW needs someone who will work hard for every community, and I have no doubt Lucie will be that person.

“I’m looking forward to working with Lucie to deliver our Regional Infrastructure Guarantee, our plan for a safer regional NSW, and our plan to ensure people in Barwon can have access to medical services closer to home.”

Current member Roy Butler, an independent MP, had flagged his intention to run at the 2027 state election in September 2024.

Mr Butler was first elected in 2019, then with the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.

He ran in 2022 as an independent with his first-preference vote increasing by almost 12 per cent.

Sally Edwards will also contest Barwon as a candidate for the Libertarian Party.

The state election will be held on 13 March 2027.