Fiona Kotvojs will be the Liberal Party's candidate for the upcoming by-election in the state seat of Bega.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Dr Kotvojs was narrowly defeated at the 2019 Federal Election and during the 2020 by-election for the Federal seat of Eden-Monaro.<\/p>\n
She said it's important to have a local run for the Liberals in the state by-election.<\/p>\n
\"I'm a local, I'm a small business owner and I'm a farmer I also assess government programs,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"We need someone who can advocate well for our communities and I want to be the person who represents our community.\"<\/p>\n
The seat of Bega has been held by the Liberal Party since1988.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mr Constance held the seat since 2003, which is currently a safe Liberal seatwith a 6.9 per cent margin.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet made the announcement during a visit to Begathat Ms Kotvojs will contest the seat in the by-electionearly next year.<\/p>\n
\"I know she has the skillset and will follow in Andrew Constance's footsteps,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I've known Andrew for many years, and he's been a passionate advocate, and they are the onesthat get things done.\"<\/p>\n
\"Andrew has done that in Bega and I know that Fiona will continue that in the Bega Electorate.\"<\/p>\n
Andrew Constance reflected on his time as local state MP and his plans for federal politics.<\/p>\n
\"I think our region is in great shape and I leave it in abetter place than I found it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"It's a sad day but I won't going far, and hopefully the Eurobodalla get's the benefit of a Kotvojs\/Constance partnership.\"<\/p>\n
Mr Constance is one of four people who have nominated for Liberal preselection in Gilmore.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Fiona Kotvojs used her campaign launch to focus on her local connections.<\/p>\n
\"This is where my heart is, Iwas born in the local hospital and I went to Bega High School,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"Ilive right in the middle of the electorate, in DignamsCreek, where one side is Bega Valley and one is Eurobodalla.\"<\/p>\n
Ms Kotvojs lost to Labor's Kristy McBain during last year's by-election for the Federal seat of Eden-Monaro.<\/p>\n
However, she said she's confident in her ability to represent the community at a state level.<\/p>\n
\"Im a person who gets things done,\"she said.<\/p>\n
\"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.\"<\/p>\n
Merimbula Eden Liberals president Scott Kennedy also nominated for Liberal pre-selection but said he welcomes the decision.<\/p>\n
\"Fiona has been a Lifeline counsellor, RFS volunteer and a founder of the Gourmet Coast Trail,\" he said,<\/p>\n
\"The Bega Valley and Eurobodallas recovery needs a strong, stable and experienced Government and Fiona will give us this.\"<\/p>\n
Labor is yet to announcea candidate for the seat but has indicated they intend to.<\/p>\n
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Read the rest here: <\/p>\n
Fiona Kotvojs named Liberal nominee for Bega with the by-election slated for early next year - ABC News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fiona Kotvojs will be the Liberal Party's candidate for the upcoming by-election in the state seat of Bega. Continue reading