Brewarrina Councillor Trish Frail is taking to the big leagues, standing for the Greens candidate for the seat of Parkes in the upcoming Federal Election in a bid to spark change for the regions. 

It isn’t long, Cr Frail believes, before the local voters will shift away from their usual faith in the National party, asking for more from their government. 

In an electorate that has been represented by National Party members since 1984 until present - where Mark Coulton has held the seat for 15 years - Cr Frail knows it’s a big call to make.

“A lot of people are complaining that they’re not listening to the local people anymore. They’re listening to all the industrial businesses…I am listening to what people are saying and I am taking note,” Cr Frail said. 

With her ear to the ground, the Brewarrina-based Ngemba woman said that a focus on waterways, housing, and a voice for the individual farmer have been lost somewhere along the line. 

“When we were growing up it was always the individual farmer. Now that’s changed it’s become the industrial farmers, so the individual farmers have been totally disregarded,” Cr Frail said. 

As local focus is continually pulled towards floodplain harvesting in the area, Cr Frail said that the tensions and discontent within the community could be a cause for the mass exodus away from National votes. 

“They’ve opposed meaningful action on climate change, they’ve let the Murray-Darling be exploited and almost destroyed, and they’ve failed to provide adequate health and housing services for the most vulnerable in the community, especially women and children. I will be a voice in Canberra who speaks for everyone in Parkes. I am someone who cares for the whole community, not just the privileged few.” 

Still, representing a party that is largely ideologically opposed to the one that has held power for over thirty years, Cr Frail recognises that working with the local perception of the Greens Party could be an uphill battle. 

“I knew that before I accepted my nomination, and I’m quite happy to take on that battle. It’s more important that we get out there and notify people and say ‘just because your parents were a National, it doesn’t mean that you have to be a National’,” Cr Frail said. 

“Look at what’s happening in the world. Look at what’s happening around your region,” she said. 

While environmental, health, housing and employment issues will feature in Cr Frail’s campaign, the candidate is also looking to draw a focus on women in regional areas, something she believes hasn’t been done adequately before. 

Looking to be the Parkes electorate’s first female member, the local area’s infamous rates of domestic violence against women and children are a key priority. 

“Women in Australia earn 14% less than men and 24% less if you work in the care sector. Yes we’re discriminated against. We work as hard as men then we go home and continue to work for love,” Cr Frail said.  

Despite the past, the Brewarrina business owner is certain that this year, more than ever, the tides could begin to change. 

“The seat of Parkes is in need of a change. The NationaIs have held this seat since I was a child and they have failed time and again to act on the big issues we face,” said Cr Frail. 

The federal election is yet to be called by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, although law states that it can be held no later than May 21, 2022.