Richard Moffatt says he is passionate about addressing rural disadvantage. Photo: Supplied.
The long-standing vice-president of the Wagga Liberal Party branch has defected to the Nationals and says he would run for the state seat at the 2027 election if selected by his colleagues.
Richard Moffatt is a born and bred Wagga local and prominent businessman who manages charity organisations Wagga Can Assist and Lilier Lodge, which provides accommodation for those in remote towns who need treatment in Wagga hospitals.
After five years in the local Liberal branch, he said he had become fed up with the infighting and Sydney focus of his former party.
“The infighting you see at a federal and state level has unfortunately seeped into local branches like Wagga,” he said.
“The more infighting you have, the less people are talking about Wagga and trying to benefit our city.
“A month ago, I decided to rescind my Liberal Party membership and joined the National Party. I believe the best chance the Coalition has in the seat of Wagga is via the Nationals.”
Mr Moffatt said the Nationals have had to drag the Liberals along on issues such as voting no on the Voice referendum and rejecting net zero.
“The Liberals are not focusing on regional areas. I’ve been to a lot of their meetings and conferences and it seems they are overly Sydney-focused and I don’t think Wagga is a priority for them,” he said.
Richard with his partner Grace and two children. Photo: Supplied.
The 41-year-old says he’d love the opportunity to run against independent Dr Joe McGirr for the seat of Wagga at the 2027 state election.
“Our election candidate is decided by the membership of the Nationals, but if I was ever afforded the opportunity by the members of the branch, I’d put myself forward and be happy to accept their preselection,” he said.
“Joe has done a fantastic job at stabilising the ship, but it’s only government that can deliver for Wagga. The last time Wagga got any significant infrastructure funding was under the Coalition.”
Not surprisingly, Dr Joe McGirr disagreed on the influence of independents.
“An independent MP has the freedom to work directly for, and report to, the electorate without having to put the needs of a political party first,” he said.
“Independents have significant influence at government level, especially in parliaments – such as the current one – which are not controlled by a majority government.”
Marty Corboy, the former Nationals candidate for Indi and now a Wagga local, welcomed Mr Moffat’s defection to his party.
“Richard was the only source of stability and real community ‘on-the-ground’ connection the Wagga Liberals have had here in Wagga Wagga since the demise of former member Daryl Maguire. But their loss is the Nats gain,” he said.
“I have no doubt Richard’s fundraising abilities and deep community connections will assist the Nationals locally going forward.”
Mr Moffatt said his work running a local charity had highlighted how disadvantaged the bush was compared with Sydney and how much things needed to change.
“In Sydney, you could get medical treatment in your lunch break, but if you’re in Hay, you might have to travel for three hours and spend weeks in Wagga, missing out on work,” he said.
“I have a young family here in Wagga and my folks are here too, so I’m passionate about improving life in regional areas.”
At the federal level, support for the Liberals has plummeted since the party split with the Nationals. Despite that, Mr Moffatt thinks it’s in the interests of both parties to reunite.
“I still think the Coalition is the best chance for conservatives to form government … I just feel I belong with the Nationals.”
The NSW Liberals were contacted for comments but declined to respond.
