ARMIDALE-based owner of New England Solar Power Rob Taber will run as an independent in the September 7 election.
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Mr Taber said he decided to run after becoming frustrated about the way the election was panning out.
“I really couldn’t sit by and let it happen,” he said.
“We have been very lucky having Tony Windsor as a member of parliament, being an independent and he did a terrific job for New England and for Australia.
“It appeared there wasn’t any other independent who decided he was going to have a go at this so I put my hand up and let me tell you, the support has been unbelievable.”
Mr Taber cited key issues for the region as including renewable energy, coal seam gas mining, agriculture and disadvantaged youth.
Mr Taber described the New England community as a team, which he wanted to work with should he be elected.
“I think people are fed up with party politics and the squabbling and again the electorate doesn’t get represented properly,” he said.
Mr Taber is also the chairman of the Armidale Showground Trust, the chairman of Jobs Australia and a member of Legacy and decided on Tuesday to put his hand up for the race.
Mr Taber will run alongside seven other candidates for the seat of New England: The Nationals’ Barnaby Joyce, independent Jamie McIntyre, Labor’s Stephen Hewitt, Pat Schultz of the Greens, Richard Witten of the Citizens’ Electoral Council, One Nation’s Brian Dettmann and the Palmer United Party’s Paul Teerman.