PRE-POLL voting for the May 3 federal election is now open at Moree PCYC, and Country Labor party delegates Meryl Dillon and Glen Crump are there representing Labor Party candidate Nathan Fell.

Mr Fell was at Moree Services Club on April 16 with Senator Deborah O’Neill for a Politics in the Pub meet-and-greet, and has been campaigning extensively across the Parkes electorate.

He was at Dubbo pre-polling on Saturday, Gunnedah Sunday and Wee Waa and Burren Junction late last week.

Mr Fell, a Broken Hill local, has spent his professional career working in the mining sector.

He says he understands the unique challenges facing communities across rural and regional New South Wales and is proud to be part of a team that has delivered strong, stable, scandal-free government for Australians.

“Not only has Labor provided strong financial management, paid back debt, reduced inflation and supported wage rises, but has given tax reductions to all Australians,” Mr Fell said.

He said the Labor Party has supported increased wages for aged-care and childcare workers, ensuring the industry is more attractive for workers – looking after Australians from the cradle to the grave.

“Labor is fully funding public education, increasing subsidies for bulk-billing, cutting the cost of prescriptions, continuing fee-free TAFE and reducing student debt,” Mr Fell said.

Country Labor Moree delegates Glen Crump and Meryl Dillon at Moree PCYC prep-polling booths.

He said Labor has fully costed its election promises and wants to see the LNP do the same.

“We don’t want to see a huge list of their promises being made to the community, only to find that it will put Australia into a huge debt situation,” Mr Fell said.

Moree’s Country Labor delegate Meryl Dillon, born-and-bred on the black-soil plains, said the Labor Party has specific policies for the bush.

These include making telcos more accountable and providing additional satellite cover to address black spots, safeguarding banking facilities in the bush, and making sure rural air services remain in the air.

“We have ensured that Australia Post agents have access to banking services to cover the holes made from banks withdrawing from our communities,” Mrs Dillon said.

“We are supporting regional air services such as REX airlines that the coalition said was a waste of money.”

Locally, Mr Fell says he is proud the Albanese Labor Government had made such a huge commitment to the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre – in excess of $9 million – and supported the Mungindi Pre-School with almost $1 million funding.

“We care about country communities, and that’s why we have increased funding for the Roads to Recovery program and have further committed to Inland Rail,” Mr Fell said.

“We were originally the party from the bush and continue to value our roots.”

Mr Fell has lived in the Parkes Electorate for most of his life.

He is passionate about supporting rural communities to access the healthcare, education, and opportunities they deserve.

Mr Fell serves on the Barrier Industrial Council, Landcare Broken Hill Executive Committee, and is a Mining and Energy Union delegate to the Trades Trust Hall.

He is particularly buoyed by the Labor Party’s 1800 MEDICARE pledge, that will see Australia’s healthcare system overhauled.

A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will make a $204.5 million investment to improve existing Healthdirect services and expand them to every state and territory, under one consistent, national service.

1800MEDICARE will build on Labor’s plan to open 50 more Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, ensuring free urgent care is available within a 20-minute drive for four in five Australians, and just a phone call away for everyone across the nation.

“This announcement builds on our existing commitments to strengthen Medicare and provide cheaper medicines and more bulk-billing for all Australians,” Mr Fell said.

The Labor Party has pledged tax cuts for every taxpayer, substantial investment in the health system and cap PBS medicines at $25, build 1.2 million new homes, deliver an extra $150 in energy bill relief and make home batteries cheaper.

Moree pre-poll voting

Where: Moree PCYC

Address: 360 Boston Street, Moree NSW 2400

Days and times

Tuesday, April 29: 8.30am to 5.30pm

Wednesday, April 30: 8.30am to 5.30pm

Thursday, May 1: 8.30am to 5.30pm

Friday, May 2: 8.30am  to 6pm

Saturday, May 3: 8am to 6pm

There are 10 candidates for the Parkes electorate: Mark Carter (One Nation); Stephen Pope (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers); Trish Frail (Greens); Petrus Van Der Steen (Trumpet of Patriots);

Bob Wilson (Indigenous-Aboriginal Party of Australia); Nathan Fell (Labor Party); Jamie Chaffey (National Party); Maurice Davey (Family First); Stuart Howe (Independent) and Sally Edwards (Libertarian Party).