Nationals confirm Elizabeth Fisher as candidate for Indi election

THE Nationals have confirmed Browns Plains farmer Elizabeth Fisher as their party's preselected candidate to contest the seat of Indi at this year's federal election. Speaking to the Euroa Gazette on Friday, the mother of three who has been "deeply invested" in her rural community between Rutherglen and Wodonga for the last two decades, said she was looking forward to her first foray into politics. "I'm someone always prepared to put up my hand to get stuff done...that's been my prime motivation to stand," Mrs Fisher said. "While I understand some key issues, I'm am looking forward to getting around the electorate, meeting and listening to people to find out what is important to them. "My goal is to make sure our leaders in Canberra not only listen but make the decisions for the benefit of Indi. "The trend to Independents concerns me. "I know from experience that making decisions is the only way to get things done. "Being part of a Coalition team is the best way to achieve this to ensure our region gets its fair share of funding. "Indi will not be taken for granted if I have the honour of representing the electorate." Mrs Fisher joins incumbent independent Helen Haines, the Liberal's Ross Lyman, Labor's Nadia David and the Green's Benjamin Gilbert as confirmed candidates to contest the seat at the federal election, which must take place before May 21. Together with husband Neil – a sixth generation Browns Plains farmer – Mrs Fisher works full–time on their expansive broadacre cropping and prime lamb farming operation, while raising their three children – aged 12 to 15 – and volunteering across a range of local community organisations. "I grew up at Inverloch, where I enjoyed volunteering and being part of a community," she said. "I love living and working here with my family and feel grateful to call the Indi region home." Mrs Fisher has previously worked in business management roles in major companies and also worked in regional development as a project manager, where she assisted seven LGAs across both sides of the border gain collaborative funding. Nationals State President Neil Pankhurst said as a local business owner and director, the party's Indi candidate has a wealth of knowledge and understanding of what it takes to operate a small business and the challenges involved. "Throughout her career to date, Elizabeth has demonstrated how much she loves working in and being a part of her local community, putting in the effort to make the region a better place", he said. Leader of the Nationals in the Senate and Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, said Mrs Fisher "understands the issues facing our communities and she will work tirelessly as part of The Nationals team to put Indi first". Nationals state member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy said he was looking forward to working with Mrs Fisher over the coming months, ensuring that the people of Indi receive the resources and funding that the region deserves.