The announcement comes just weeks after Labor Leader Luke Foley and Ms Turley visited Coonamble in Barwon’s east to talk to more than 150 farmers to reiterate Labor’s opposition to the Pilliga Gas project, and the threat coal seam gas poses to prime agricultural land in Western NSW.

Mr Foley said Ms Turley had the right credentials to take on the Nationals in the seat as the Liberal-National government stubbornly presses ahead with its decision to splurge $2.2 billion on Sydney stadiums before schools and hospitals.

Mr Foley also made mention of Ms Turley’s service as Broken Hill City’s first female mayor.

“I’m delighted that Darriea Turley is Labor’s candidate for the Barwon electorate. She has shown her conviction and commitment to the local community through decades of work in regional health,” Mr Foley said. 

“Everywhere I go, I hear people complain about how the National Party has given up on representing Western NSW. I’m running because every community in the Barwon Electorate deserves better,” Ms Turley said. 

Coal seam gas is the core focus of Ms Turley’s campaign.

“I’m the candidate who is against coal seam gas fracking on our prime agricultural land; who is for a full judicial inquiry into alleged water theft; and who is against prioritising $2.2 billion for Sydney’s stadiums ahead of investment in Western NSW’s schools and hospitals.

“Even though I’m the underdog, I’m determined to wage a grassroots campaign that touches every community. It’s the only way we’ll get the honest representation we deserve.”