Nationals' Andrianna Benjamin launches Wagga campaign with the promise to "get things done"

“I am motivated, I’m ready, I am full of energy to ensure that we win this seat as the National Party,” declared Nationals candidate for the seat of Wagga Wagga Andrianna Benjamin as she officially launched her campaign from a shopfront on Baylis Street.

The former Snowy Valleys councillor has become a familiar face throughout the electorate over the past few months.

Since her preselection in December, Ms Benjamin has set a blistering pace, attending events across the region and accompanying a procession of visiting Coalition ministers as they dropped in with pre-election funding announcements.

“It’s really exciting to actually listen to what people’s issues are,” she said.

“I’ve been getting a lot of feedback in regards to what we need for the future and where our local people want the Wagga electorate to be into the future,” she said.

“We’re a powerhouse and we can get things done as a National Party.”

Nationals MLC Wes Fang introduced Ms Benjamin as a “fresh face” and praised her work ethic as a successful business owner and energetic candidate.

“She brings youth, experience and energy unlike any I have seen in a candidate for this seat in a very, very long time,” he said.

Federal MP Michael McCormack said Wagga Wagga should be a Nationals seat and he backed Ms Benjamin, saying that she would be an asset alongside Steph Cooke in the neighbouring Cootamundra electorate.

“What we want to do is give Steph Cooke a colleague – Andrianna Benjamin, and let Andrianna achieve the same sorts of things that Steph Cooke has because I know Andrianna has the work ethic, I know she has the passion,” he said.

“Nationals turn up, we deliver, we listen, we hear the concerns, we hear the issues and we act upon them.

“Now others might talk a big game but they’re never going to be around that cabinet table.”

Top of Ms Benjamin’s list of five priorities was cost of living pressures, followed by road repairs, the Gobbagombalin Bridge duplication, HumeLink and access to childcare.

When asked what would be different, given that the Coalition has been in power for a decade, Ms Benjamin said the state was bouncing back from fires, floods and a global pandemic.

“‘I’m hearing what the locals have to say and I will make sure we fight for whatever we can possible on the ground to ensure that we can make our livelihoods better,” she said.

On the issue of the controversial HumeLink electricity infrastructure project, Ms Benjamin said emphatically that she would fight to move the wires underground.

“As a councillor on the Snowy Valleys Council last term from 2017 to 2021, I had a lot to deal with those particular farmers that are affected.

“At the end of the day, the talk is that it’s all about cost. So to be honest, let’s just focus on trying to get them underground. I am definitely for that.”

The NSW state election will be held on Saturday 25 March.