I'm incredibly honoured to have been elected Deputy Leader of The Nationals' Federal Parliamentary team, serving alongside our new Leader Matt Canavan.
I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the previous leadership team, David Littleproud and Kevin Hogan, who I consider great friends and champions for regional Australia.
As someone who was born and raised in Gippsland and chose to raise my own children in the regions, I understand how important it is that the voices of regional communities are heard clearly in Canberra.
Small-town Australia needs louder voices than ever.
After four years of this Labor Government, Australians are worse off and too many people have been left behind.
Most of us are feeling abandoned by a Prime Minister who promised to govern for all Australians.
We haven't been shown the respect we deserve in regional Australia by urban-centric policy makers.
The growing divide between city-country and the ruling elites in the Labor-Greens-Teals has seen country people stripped of jobs in traditional industries and basic rights removed in the interests of political expediency.
We haven't been receiving our fair share.
Australia is worth fighting for, and I'm privileged to bring my experience representing the people of Gippsland to this important role.
The Nationals exist for one reason: to stand up for the millions of Australians who live outside our capital cities.
I'm determined to help deliver a stronger, safer, and fairer regional Australia, where everyone can get ahead.
Under new leadership at state and federal levels, and as functioning Coalitions, we need to commit ourselves to doing the hard work required to hold the Labor Party to account as we engage with all Australians, hear their concerns, and develop policies that make a real difference in people's lives.
We need to be focused on the issues that matter.
Thank you to my colleagues for the trust they've placed in me.
Finally, thank you to my wife Julie and my family for the love and support they have shown throughout my political journey.
I'll keep working every day to represent the people of Gippsland and the communities that make our regions such special places to live.
