Baldwin stands for Mallee
Irrigation organisation chief executive Sophie Baldwin launched her independent campaign for the Federal seat of Mallee last week.
Mrs Baldwin, a former Cohuna dairy farmer and journalist, launched her campaign in Mildura ahead of the upcoming 2022 Federal Election, which political commentators predict will be in May.
She is part of a suite of independent candidates across Australia who have declared or implied their intention to stand in ‘safe’ federal seats.
Mrs Baldwin said being an independent candidate meant she did not have to ‘play party politics’.
“It is definitely important for me to run as an independent. There is a real appetite for change in the political space,” she said.
“I am passionate about rural communities and I have had a long life in agriculture. I think these communities are not being listened to politically.”
Mrs Baldwin said in speaking to people in the Mallee electorate, she noted there was concern about the future direction of north and western Victoria. “There is no vision,” she said. “Who is looking out for rural communities that are losing services left, right and centre?
“Mallee people, on average, take home about $500-less each week in their pockets than people in the cities.
“There is also a widening gap between rural and metropolitan access to medical services, mental health, aged care and the ease they can see a GP.
“Finding suitable and affordable day care is also a massive issue for a lot of Mallee families, which impacts workforce numbers.
“With the Mallee electorate being such a significant contributor the wider economy and the scope of infrastructure investment available in the region, our communities shouldn’t have to negotiate these barriers.”
Mrs Baldwin has been the executive officer of Southern Riverina Irrigators since 2020, an organisation that aims to ‘ensure equitable access and distribution of water across the Murray-darling Basin, particularly, the forgotten region of the Southern Riverina’.
She said she was proud to represent ‘hard-working generational farming families’.
“Agriculture must be supported in practical ways to ensure food security for our nation in the future and to support the thousands of jobs it creates,” she said.
“We must change the narrative of farming versus the environment; they are both equally dependent on each other for success.”
Mrs Baldwin said Mallee development should start with community initiatives.
“One thing that keeps coming up after talking with people is that they have many of the solutions to problems they face,” she said.
“We need a strong representative to take these ideas forward.
“And as an independent, my whole allegiance is to the people I represent.
“I am not looking at playing party games. I just want to represent the people of Mallee in government and
facilitate an opportunity for our communities to grow and thrive into what they can be.
“I am a normal person, with a real desire to see some change. You have got to put your hand up at some stage to get some. And while I won’t get it right every time, I think my years of real-life experience in being part of a rural community are important in achieving that.”
Mrs Baldwin said her campaign launch, also live-streamed on social
media, went ‘really well’. She said she was eager to organise a visit to Horsham.
“I am looking forward to sitting down and having a chat to people there,” she said.
“Now the launch is done, the real work starts – getting out into the community and talking to people.”
Mrs Baldwin will stand against the Nationals’ Anne Webster for the seat of Mallee.