Barcaldine Senate candidate urges voters to look below the line

“I want to represent everyone in the bush – Aboriginal, pastoralist, worker. Where do they speak from now?”

Cheryl, who grew up in Barcaldine but spent 20 years teaching in Brisbane and four years at Chinchilla, says it’s important for voters not to be lazy at this election.

“They need to look at the individuals below the line and ask what their values are,” she said.

“Even LNP people have told me they see value in having representation from out here, and I’ve had texts from people in Brisbane saying a rural and remote voice is needed in the Senate.

“I’ve been told that position six on the ballot paper isn’t winnable, but you just don’t know.”

At the 2013 state election, Cheryl was the ALP candidate for Gregory, but she now says that Aboriginal aims are best achieved through federal politics.

“It’s just to have a voice,” she said. “ State issues of drought relief, wild dogs and agricultural issues are all connected to the federal sphere anyway. We have an opportunity in the Senate. Lots of things are being held up there now.”

She is a strong believer in not letting other people represent the west, when the people of the west know best the story of living here.

Cheryl said it had never been her intention to go into politics of any sort, but she always went where the old people took her.

“It’s why I’ve come home.”