The race for the seat of Riverina is beginning to heat up with another party throwing down the election gauntlet.
Phillip Langfield has been endorsed by the Christian Democratic Party (CDP) to fly its policy flag.
CDP’s number one principle is to uphold a free and democratic society with freedom of speech, the rule of law and stable constitutional government.
Mr Langfield decided to run for “truth and righteousness”.
“I want a fair go for everyone, but especially the smaller communities,” he said.
“I will be standing for the traditional marriage between a man and a woman for the sake of raising children and (keeping the nuclear) family.”
Mr Langfield has been a member of the CDP for more than 30 years and has been a candidate a number of times for state elections, but this is the first time the Cowra-based man has stood as a candidate for a federal seat.
He said he was fighting to give rural Australia a voice after 40 years in the wilderness.
“They’ve got to start talking to the smaller parties and the people,” Mr Langfield said.
“I’m passionate about rural Australia.”
Mr Langfield said he supported the development of an inland rail line.
“Around 50 per cent of our freight is moved by semi-trailers,” he said.
“It’s just ridiculous.
“The rail line (from Young to Blayney) should never have been shut – it’s the only inland transport link between Melbourne and Sydney if the main line is out of commission.”
Mr Langfield’s nomination makes him the fifth option for Riverina voters.
The other choices are incumbent Michael McCormack from the Nationals, Country Labor’s Tim Kurylowicz, the Greens’ Kevin Poynter and independent candidate Richard Foley.
Other parties or independents still have time to be nominated for the election, which will be held on Saturday July 2.
The closing date for nominations is Thursday, June 9, with early voting set to begin on Tuesday, June 14.
The electoral roll to vote closed on Monday.
