Ms McGowan told her official campaign launch at The Cube in Wodonga the election was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Liberal-held electorate to change hands at last.

She said she had grown up in the Indi community and she wanted to bloom where she had been planted.

She would be a different choice as she would work with the community at grassroots level.

“I turn what communities tell me into action and get results,” she said.

“I know how to do this — it has been my bread and butter in my professional working life for years.”

Telecommunications and health policies were her main focus but she said she had plans to release policies on transport, education, aged care, agriculture and food in the weeks ahead.

She said she supported the National Broadband Network plan and would make sure the government stuck to the delivery timetable and system speeds.

“For those communities and businesses not receiving fibre optic coverage, I will lobby to make that happen,” she said.

Ms McGowan said she would put rural mental health on the national agenda.

“Next year the National Mental Health Plan will be redeveloped,” Ms McGowan said.

“I want to make sure rural communities have a seat at the table,” Ms McGowan said.

“I will work with local and state organisations to create a regional mental health plan because a coordinated approach is needed to reach those who currently miss out.”

Ms McGowan said she would also review funding for aged care because many regional providers were disadvantaged by the funding system.

On the election date, she said she was glad Australia was no longer in suspense.

“Now we can find somebody to represent Indi and the country,” Ms McGowan said.

“The people are from all over the electorate and there’s such diversity of age and culture — it gives me great hope.”

She said she was overwhelmed by the support she had received and thought it showed people were ready for change.