New Wagga Wagga MP Joe McGirr says the rise of the so-called "country independents" is partly because the major parties are centralised bureaucracies run out of the cities.
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The independent MP delivered his inaugural speech to parliament on Wednesday after he took the previously safe seat from the Liberals in a by-election triggered after the sitting MP was caught in a corruption scandal.
The local doctor had previously contested the seat in 2011 and attracted more than 30 per cent of the primary vote then.
"I was prompted to stand again because I believe there is a need to change the way our communities are represented," Dr McGirr told the state's lower house.
"I genuinely believe I can improve the link between the community and government industry and infrastructure throughout the area."
He suggested the rise of country independents was partly due to the main political parties becoming "bureaucracies centrally-run".
"Professional and efficient, no doubt, but perhaps more concerned with power than service.
"Is this what ails rural Australia?"
The new MP's grandfather was a Labor minister in the NSW parliament in the 1920s. His grandfather's brother, James McGirr, was a Labor premier from 1947 to 1952.
Dr McGirr grew up in North Sydney in a devoutly Catholic household - he's personally opposed to abortion - before studying medicine at Sydney University where he was involved in student politics
The sixth member to represent Wagga on Wednesday said people in his electorate were frustrated and disenchanted by the centralisation of services.
He said the government's plans to merge councils and ban greyhound racing, for example, angered people "who had things done to them, not with them".
Voters were concerned about job insecurity, stagnant wage growth and higher living costs, he said, adding they wanted certainty on renewable energy and were worried about climate change.
They wanted child care, public transport, health and community services "in their towns".
Dr McGirr concluded by stating he'd be relentless in making sure the coalition delivered on the promises it made during the by-election campaign including extra funding for Tumut and Wagga hospitals and other infrastructure projects.
Australian Associated Press
