Singleton Business Chamber president Sue Gilroy will represent the Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party in the May 22 Upper Hunter byelection.
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Speaking alongside the party's NSW Upper House representatives Robert Borsak and Mark Banasiak at her campaign launch on Monday, Ms Gilroy appealed to voters to break the Coalition's slim hold on the seat.
"Our community needs leaders not pretenders," Ms Gilroy, who is also a registered nurse, said.
"Unfortunately, we've been a safe seat for too long and that means we've been taken for granted."
"The Upper Hunter is unique. It's a great place to live but we're not getting our fair share. We're constantly told how we are the engine room of the state because of our booming mining and agricultural industries but we've been short changed and overlooked in so many things."
While Ms Gilroy said she believed clean energy could evolve alongside the coal industry, party leader Mr Borsak asserted the party's pro-coal platform.
"I think clean energy is certainly on the table and we need to understand how they (clean energy and coal) can live side by side," Ms Gilroy said.
Mr Borsack, however, reminded those present that the party backed the construction of two new coal-fired power plants.
"There is plenty of technology around dealing with clean coal. As far as new pits are concerned that's up to the planning laws to sort out and local communities to debate.
"The reality is no one including Malcom Turnbull or John Barilaro should be preempting the future or this electorate. They should not be trying to shut down coal industries they should be making sure taxpayers do not subsidise solar power... they are offering no alternative baseload power."
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He said the party was still weighing up where to direct its preferences.
"I'm on the record as saying we are in discussion with the Labor Party and we will have a discussion with One Nation if we can.
"I don't believe we could win 50 per cent plus one on the first count. We won't beat the Nationals on that basis.
"We have to have an open and frank discussion with the Labor Party and with any other independents that want to run such as One Nation."
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