Anna Speedie features in a photograph alongside the Nationals deputy leader Bridget McKenzie and leader Michael McCormack in the half-page plug that has been published in The Border Mail this week.

It proclaims the Nationals are “delivering for the North East Rail Line” and outlines the Coalition federal government’s investment in upgrading the Albury track and inland freight needs.

Asked by The Border Mail if she was comfortable appearing in a political advertisement, Cr Speedie said “how could anybody not be proud” of spending on the North East line.

“I’ve been down in the (Victorian transport) minister’s office probably every month for two years, so you know what I’ll own it loud and proud being part of that,” Cr Speedie said.

“We should be celebrating every single bit of money that is going to help fix that North East line, to fix the No.1 problem that our community is experiencing.”

Asked if she would be happy to appear in an advertisement with the Greens, Labor or Liberal parties in similar circumstances, Cr Speedie said she would “if they provided the money”.

Senator McKenzie, who was alongside Cr Speedie when she was answering the questions and authorised the advertisement, did not view the promotion as partisan.

“I don’t see that as a political ad at all,” Senator McKenzie said.

“It’s about actually celebrating a partnership between state and federal government that has delivered for the local community.”

Cr Speedie’s appearance in the advertisement followed former mayor John Watson at Monday night’s council meeting stressing the city did not provide community grants to organisations making political points.

“One of the applications in our briefings was taken out because it had a political point to it and we don’t have political points in this particular policy and criteria,” Cr Watson said.

He did not name the applicant but Rural Australians for Refugees had a rejected application for $2000 to help with its national conference in Wodonga next month.

The group’s national secretary Penny Vine said she understood the bid was perceived as political.

Coincidentally the Austin Healey Sprite Drivers Club received a $2000 grant to assist with the staging of its Nationals in Wodonga.