Farrer Independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe has delivered her thoughts on the Coalition preferencing One Nation over the Independents.

She said the decision had been made “for the good of the Coalition, not for the good of our community”.

Growing up in Cootamundra in a National’s voting household, Mrs Milthorpe said she had voted for Sussan Ley in every election except the previous one, that her mother watches Sky News and she admired Tim Fischer greatly.

“If we hadn’t been so let down in the regions by successive governments, I can easily imagine running under the Liberal or National’s banner,” Mrs Milthorpe said.

“But I decided to run as an Independent because for decades the parties have acted in their own self-interest, not in the interests of our community.

“The Coalition has done a deal with One Nation because they are worried One Nation will wipe them out.

“We will never know what One Nation offered the Liberal/National Parties to strike this deal, but what we do know is, this isn’t about Farrer.

“Most observers are expecting this election to be a close race between One Nation and myself.”

Mrs Milthorpe urged anyone considering voting for the Liberal Party or the Nationals to choose between her and One Nation seriously and gave her reasons why she believes she deserves locals’ votes.

“The choice is clear, for Albury, I am fighting for a new hospital on a new site - One Nation is not,” she said.

“For the regions, I am fighting for the farmers on our side of the river - while One Nation’s leader in South Australia has stood next to the Greens and accused New South Wales farmers of stealing water.

“I vow to fight every single day for the people of Farrer and only the people of Farrer.

“My One Nation opponent will have to vote every single time with his party boss from Queensland.

“The parties have not been listening to us, so I expect most voters will return the favour by not listening to their suggestions of whom to vote for.”