New state runner

By Yvonne Gardiner

IN HIS first campaign, Matthew Bertalli is running for the seat of Lismore in the upcoming NSW State Election for the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFF).

He became intrigued with the SFF when he was living in a small town in western NSW called Brewarrina.

“I saw the work that they were doing for regional communities and thought that this is a party I can get behind,” Mr Bertalli said.

“I wish to run on the issues of improving healthcare in regional areas, not just in the seat of Lismore.

“While Lismore does have fantastic health facilities, these are not replicated in other areas of the electorate.

“I wish to balance this and strive to make every hospital in NSW as good as the next. People should be able to live wherever they please without the fear of the hospital in their town not being adequate”

Mr Bertalli will also strive to improve funding for public schools in regional areas

“The regional schools in small towns are often overlooked because of their small cohorts,” he said. “This should not be the case.”

Biosecurity is also on Mr Bertalli’s priority list.

“More funding for the control and management of invasive species, I believe, is necessary for a healthy and thriving environment and agricultural sector.

“I am only young, 26, so many may believe my experience is too limited to be a local member. But I have lived in the country all my life; I have experienced the hardships alongside others in my community.

“I work as a biosecurity officer and through that I interact with landholders and community members every day at work and I hear their stories and listen to their problems.

“I will not sit in an office separated from the community I am meant to represent. I want to be out with the people, listening and talking to them every step of the way.”

The Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFF) primarily advocates for increased funding and services for rural and regional Australia.

It focuses on protecting the right to farm, enhancing commercial and recreational fishing, tougher sentencing for illegal firearm trade and usage, and relaxing gun control for law-abiding citizens.

Water and regional health care also feature in SFF priorities.

The party was formed in 1992, and was known simply as the Shooters Party.