Torbay targets New England

State Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay will throw his hat into the ring for Nationals pre-selection following talks in Armidale with Federal Leader Warren Truss on Friday.
Mr Torbay said that, if his bid was successful, he would continue to serve in State Parliament as an Independent until the federal election is called.
“I have been upfront with the electorate about the approach from the Nationals and the negotiations about my position if I am pre-selected and subsequently elected as Member for New England,” Mr Torbay said.
“Mr Truss has provided the assurances I need that I can continue as an advocate for what is in the best interests of our electorate, for country communities and the regions generally,” he said.
“I am also encouraged that the Nationals have the same agenda.
“They know they have a continuing fight on their hands against the big end of town to secure equity of services and infrastructure for regional communities.
“That is why the Country Party was formed.
“That is why the Nationals have a legacy of fearless advocacy and achievement from those pioneers who had to fight so hard and so successfully for a fair share of resources to build the road network, provide transport and communications, build hospitals, universities and schools.”
Mr Torbay said there was still pressure for funding to be directed to metropolitan centres.
“They are hungry and speak with a loud voice,” he said. “But we are hungry too and our voice has to be just as loud,” he said.
“We need upgrades of hospitals, more funding for roads, upgrades of the rail network, improvements to air services and investment in regional infrastructure.
“We also need zonal taxation and other financial incentives to direct investment into the regions to create jobs and build population.
“One of the ongoing problems is the paradoxical situation that so many battlers in metropolitan centres want to move out but still there are not sufficient jobs or services in the regions to attract them in the numbers required.”
Mr Torbay said that. with the roll-out of new technologies, the game had changed and it required new policies and a new outlook to rebuild the regions.
“We have a good story to tell about our quality of life,” he said. “The metropolitan cities are groaning with the overload on their infrastructure. Relocating people, services and jobs to the regions is the solution and Mr Truss and I are on the same page with that, as on many other issues.”
Federal Member for New England Tony Windsor released a press statement on Friday, saying: “Thank you to all the media who have contacted my office for a comment on the seat of New England at the next election. I am not making any public comment and am focused on the opportunities that exist in the current parliament.”