So there is an agreement that seats that are regarded as a strong hold of either the Liberal Party or the National Party, the party regarded as traditionally having less support does not nominate candidates.

This is the case in Wagga, but in electorates on the NSW North Coast the boot is on the other foot. Seats up there have been regarded as traditional National Party seats, therefore the Liberal Party does not contest them, but many Liberals would consider the demographic changes in that area make them notionally more Liberal, and perhaps that has been the cause of the Coalition losing one of them.

I might also take the opportunity to answer a question I am frequently asked. Why a farmer such as myself is a member of the Liberal Party not the National Party? Having been actively involved in the NSW Farmers Association, (board and executive council member etc.) and the Liberal Party, (state executive member, branch and regional chair etc.). My position has always been that my views of the needs of rural Australia and agriculture in particular are better progressed by continually being put in a forum less familiar with the issues that impact on these rural areas, than in a forum where the participants basically know the issues. This is even more relevant now, with the increasing urban/rural divide.

One of the catalyst that caused me initially to join the Liberal Party rather than the Country Party 50 or more years ago, was the Country Party continually lobbying for then pound to be devalued when the exchange rate was fixed (really was a long time ago). My view was this may be good for exporters and agriculture in particular but was detrimental for the broader economy. Perhaps indicating the Country/National Party can be a bit too narrow in its position. I think I have been proven correct.

I write to provide some clarification about the content of David Everist’s piece “New group offers up broad representation” (The Border Mail, July 28).

He is talking about the Basin Community Committee which was first formed on July 2, 2007 to provide feedback about aspects of the Murray Darling Basin Plan. So from that point of view it is not a new group. It is a 16 member group and the authority recently appointed 12 new members (of which I am one) to join four existing members of the committee. The members represent a wide cross section of the people, groups and communities in the Basin and it is particularly pleasing to note that four members of the new committee are local government councillors.

We start work with the first meeting in September. I am honoured to be selected and to be able to help in any way I can to ensure the best outcomes of the Murray Darling Basin Plan.