By Deanne Jeffers
SAM Birrell has confirmed that he plans to enter federal politics as the Nationals candidate for Nicholls.
Nationals MP Damian Drum announced recently that he will retire at the upcoming election, which is expected to be called for May 2022.
Mr Birrell made public in recent weeks that he has resigned from the Committee for Greater Shepparton, where he has been chief executive for six years.
He said, “I have lived in this region for most of my life, and I care about it deeply. The region has benefitted enormously from the Federal Government investments and policy initiatives that are the result of hard work and community engagement of the outgoing member Damian Drum.
My strong conviction is that to continue this positive momentum for Nicholls, we need a highly capable Nationals member in a re-elected coalition government, and I will be focussing all my abilities and energies on achieving that outcome. Despite the achievements so far, there is more work to do.”
The election will be one to watch, with Drum’s retirement sparking hope that the Liberals can win back the seat for the party. School teacher and farmer from Cobram, Stephen Brooks, has announced that he will seek Liberal Party pre-selection. While Local businessman and former Deputy Mayor of Greater Shepparton, Rob Priestly, will run as an independent.
