Emma Pritchard
With a large crowd of vocal supporters around him, the Nationals candidate for Clarence Richie Williamson proudly gave everyone the thumbs up as he officially launched his election campaign in the Clarence Valley on February 23 with the opening of his Grafton Campaign Office at 23 Prince Street.
Joined by outgoing Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis and NSW Nationals Chairman Andrew Fraser, Mr Williamson said he felt very humbled by the support he has received in recent months, and spoke of the importance of keeping the Nationals in NSW Government as the 2023 State Election on March 25 fast approaches.
“Politics is not about politicians,” he said.
“Politics is about every person here.
“Everyone should be very proud of what the Nationals have already done.
“We are the only party that will be delivering the Grafton Base Hospital (GBH) redevelopment.
“That is a fact, Labor have ruled it out.
“They are investing $1 billion in a hospital in Western Sydney, and it’s only us in government that will deliver the upgrade to the GBH.
“In the next term, we’ll be able to all gather around and see that project finally completed.
“They’re the kind of things that drive us (Nationals), and I can tell you, they’re the kind of things that are important to me.
“If I am lucky enough on March 25, and I hope we (Nationals) are, because if we’re not, we are forgotten in an instant in Regional NSW.
“There is absolutely no doubt about that.”
“Without someone at the table, we’re not going to have a chance to voice our concerns or get a share of the government largesse,” Mr Gulaptis emphasised.
“And we’ve been able to see that over the last 12 years that the Coalition has been in government.
“We’ve seen a new highway, new bridge, new gaol, upgrades to health infrastructure and sporting fields, and that’s only come about because we had a voice at the table.
“Its thanks to you that you were able to put me there to be your voice, and now my role has come to an end, and I want to thank you very much for the support that you’ve shown me over that period of time, and I just hope you show Richie that same support, and I’m sure he will reciprocate in the same way that I did.”