Grassroots community group Voices for Farrer has named its candidate to stand against incumbent Sussan Ley at the next federal election.
Michelle Milthorpe’s candidacy was endorsed at an event Wednesday morning in her home town of Jindera.
Voices of Farrer was formed in 2022 with the primary aim of recruiting a candidate unaffiliated with any of the major parties.
By endorsing a candidate, they hope to emulate the success of Cathy McGowan and Helen Haines over the Murray in Indi.
The chosen candidate will stand against Ms Ley, who has already been pre-selected as the Liberal Party candidate for the next election.
Ms Ley has been Member for Farrer since 2001 and members of Voices for Farrer feel a change to the safe seat could result in more attention for the region.
Mrs Milthorpe was raised in Cootamundra and is passionate about equity for regional Australians.
Her connection to Farrer is strong, having lived within the electorate for more than 20 years.
After a lifetime of country living, now in Jindera with her husband and three daughters, Mrs Milthorpe has a genuine care and affiliation with many of the people she hopes to represent.
She understands the unique problems and challenges facing the diverse communities within the electorate.
“I want to be a genuine representative of the people, someone who reflects the values of the electorate, stands up for regional communities and delivers outcomes for them,” she said.
“When the people of Farrer look at me, I hope they see parts of themselves reflected back – in my actions, words and decision making.”
Throughout her life, Mrs Milthorpe has worked as a teacher but has also coached netball teams, owned a small business and been a successful advocate for law reform, all of which required determination and persistence, and taught her to be solutions focused.
Alongside her family, and with the support of survivor advocate Nina Funnell, Mrs Milthorpe was also instrumental in securing $64.3 million of funding to extend the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Scheme, so that it was available to all children living in regional NSW.
For Mrs Milthorpe, this was the beginning of her recognition that regional Australia is often overlooked by city-centric policies that are instituted by the major political parties.
“In the 21st century, regional Australians shouldn’t have to beg for basics such as safer roads, reliable telecommunications and access to quality healthcare”.
Mrs Milthorpe has said that being a politician was not something she ever thought she would do.
“I’ve never considered myself a politician, however, I felt there was a need for a genuine, present and reliable representative. I want the people of Farrer to feel that I represent their values, recognise their issues and come to trust in my determination to find solutions”.
Mrs Milthorpe views that the power of the independent is the ability to talk to people from all walks of life and all sides of politics without concern for party lines.
“As an independent member, the only people that I am accountable to are my constituents. I am not obliged to be aligned to other independents nor will I be tied to political parties, because my representation is about the people in the electorate that I live in.”
Mrs Milthorpe plans to be visit the many communities of Farrer to listen and learn from the people in the electorate.
She hopes to collaborate with the people of Farrer to develop solutions and lead the way to create a place where all members of the community can thrive.