Fiona Kotvojs named Liberal nominee for Bega with the by-election slated for early next year – ABC News

Fiona Kotvojs will be the Liberal Party's candidate for the upcoming by-election in the state seat of Bega.

The beef and truffle farmer from Dignams Creek on the NSW South Coast beata number of other locals in the pre-selection, including Merimbula Eden Liberals President Scott Kennedy.

Dr Kotvojs was narrowly defeated at the 2019 Federal Election and during the 2020 by-election for the Federal seat of Eden-Monaro.

She said it's important to have a local run for the Liberals in the state by-election.

"I'm a local, I'm a small business owner and I'm a farmer I also assess government programs," she said.

"We need someone who can advocate well for our communities and I want to be the person who represents our community."

The seat of Bega has been held by the Liberal Party since1988.

The by-election was triggered by Bega MP and former NSW treasurer and transport minister Andrew Constance's decision to resign from state politics for a tilt at the federal seat of Gilmore.

Mr Constance held the seat since 2003, which is currently a safe Liberal seatwith a 6.9 per cent margin.

The ABC's election analyst Antony Green breaks down everything you need to know about the NSW seat of Bega, and the upcoming by-election.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet made the announcement during a visit to Begathat Ms Kotvojs will contest the seat in the by-electionearly next year.

"I know she has the skillset and will follow in Andrew Constance's footsteps," he said.

"I've known Andrew for many years, and he's been a passionate advocate, and they are the onesthat get things done."

"Andrew has done that in Bega and I know that Fiona will continue that in the Bega Electorate."

Andrew Constance reflected on his time as local state MP and his plans for federal politics.

"I think our region is in great shape and I leave it in abetter place than I found it," he said.

"It's a sad day but I won't going far, and hopefully the Eurobodalla get's the benefit of a Kotvojs/Constance partnership."

Mr Constance is one of four people who have nominated for Liberal preselection in Gilmore.

The Gilmore Liberal Federal Electoral Conference has been promised a plebiscite for the preselection, after it blamed the loss of the seat to Labor at the 2019election on thePrime Minister's decision to parachute in Warren Mundine as the Liberal candidate.

Fiona Kotvojs used her campaign launch to focus on her local connections.

"This is where my heart is, Iwas born in the local hospital and I went to Bega High School," she said.

"Ilive right in the middle of the electorate, in DignamsCreek, where one side is Bega Valley and one is Eurobodalla."

Ms Kotvojs lost to Labor's Kristy McBain during last year's by-election for the Federal seat of Eden-Monaro.

However, she said she's confident in her ability to represent the community at a state level.

"Im a person who gets things done,"she said.

"I know that as we move forward with recovery recovery from the bushfires, covid and now the recent floods I know that we are going to need a strong and effective voice in government."

Merimbula Eden Liberals president Scott Kennedy also nominated for Liberal pre-selection but said he welcomes the decision.

"Fiona has been a Lifeline counsellor, RFS volunteer and a founder of the Gourmet Coast Trail," he said,

"The Bega Valley and Eurobodallas recovery needs a strong, stable and experienced Government and Fiona will give us this."

Labor is yet to announcea candidate for the seat but has indicated they intend to.

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Fiona Kotvojs named Liberal nominee for Bega with the by-election slated for early next year - ABC News