THE third-party campaign group, Anyone But Nats, has been born out of a frustration with the direction the National party is leading regional NSW, the group’s founders say.
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Rohan Boehm said since the last state election, he’s watched community sentiment towards the regional party shift from disappointment to “straight out anger”.
“The name reflects the sentiment of people, they feel like the Nats have totally deserted them,” he said.
“We don’t support any party. We support peoples’ idea that they don’t need to vote for the Nats any longer. Luckily, there are some pretty handy alternative candidates.”
The group will host a Tamworth candidate forum today at Werris Creek Bowling Club, 2pm. Labor’s Stephen Mears, Shooter’s Jeff Bacon and independent Mark Rodda will be attending.
“The idea of forum isn’t to bash the Nats, we want people to feel their voice is being heard by others,” Mr Boehm said.
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Mr Boehm said he’d invited Nationals’ Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson – however, Mr Anderson said otherwise.
“I have not received an invitation from Mr Boehm,” he said.
Mr Anderson said he was aware of the group, but hadn’t “given them any thought”.
“My focus is on the Tamworth electorate,” he said.
“There will always be external influences in an election. One thing I try to do is make sure I look after everything I can in the Tamworth electorate and let the politics take care of itself.”