Kingston launches campaign
Rupanyup farmer Ray Kingston used the conclusion of Rupanyup Dirt Music Festival to officially launch his campaign as an independent representative for Mallee.
The Sunday launch drew a responsive crowd of supporters for Mr Kingston, who is strongly involved in the Rupanyup festival as an organiser and promoter and, with his wife Whitney, a performer.
Mr Kingston’s address included his position on water, how he could be a voice for the Mallee community and Mallee as a region.
On water, Mr Kingston said the Murray Darling Basin Plan, which includes the Wimmera-mallee, was ‘a sad mess’.
“The risk of further damage to the environment, local economies and national food security is very real,” he said.
“The plan needs to be paused and carefully reviewed before any more steps are taken.
“There needs to be a Federal Royal Commission.
“There are people out there who need to be made accountable.”
Mr Kingston said he was determined to help rural and regional people have a say.
“It’s become increasingly clear to me and I’ve been increasingly moved by just how voiceless country people can feel,” he said.
“We have to avoid using romantic stereotypes and the temptation to stare down our nose at city people based on, for example, not knowing where milk comes from.
“I need to work very hard to present a modern and real face of Mallee to Canberra and to win the hearts and minds of urban Australia to our needs.”
Mr Kingston said it was important to let Canberra and the rest of Australia know that ‘Mallee will not be taken for granted’.
“We will not be ignored. Mallee isn’t some irrelevant backwater.
“We are a vibrant and productive part of the world and have more than earned our place at the table,” he said.
“We deserve to be listened to and we deserve the services and infrastructure most of Australia take for granted.”
For more coverage of Rupanyup Dirt Music Festival, see page 8.