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A SUCCESSFUL business and family man fed-up with governments selling out the region will run for Bob Katter’s Australian Party in the federal election.

Ken Trewin, 62, was announced as the candidate for Farrer at the Deniliquin RSL yesterday.

The Barham father of four adult children said the Murray Darling Basin Plan was a prime example of how both major parties were happy to see the wealth of the region dramatically cut at a time when the cost of living was skyrocketing.

“To add further insult, they are now talking about altering the constraints on the Murray River, resulting in local town surroundings and farms being flooded every two years,” Mr Trewin said.

“The time is critical for someone to stand up against this rot.”

Mr Trewin is a strong supporter of families and small business.

As a 19-year-old he operated a successful menswear business and after marrying his wife, Judy, they bought Murray River Real Estate in Barham in 1982.

“We have just sold the business after 31 years and I finish up in a few weeks and plan to concentrate on politics,” he said.

Mr Trewin chaired the Murray Darling Water Crisis Management Council and served in local government for 23 years, including several terms as Wakool mayor.

“I have been in small business for many years and one of the sad things that is happening is the dismantling of manufacturing businesses,” he said.

“We need to protect Australian business and families.”

One of Mr Trewin’s biggest achievements was successfully lobbying for $16.46 million from the Howard government for the replacement of timber bridges and widening of b-double roads through the Wakool Shire to link Deniliquin and Swan Hill. The project cost $23.8 million, which dramatically improved the road transportation network.