A "fickle game", politics, but the announcement that Barnaby Joyce - the region's federal MP - has been reelected as the National Party's leader and deputy prime minister is "really good news" hitting some local government leaders' ears.
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Both Inverell and Armidale mayors said they'd immediately hit their phones to shoot Barnaby a 'congratulations' text.
For Glen Innes mayor Carol Sparks - who announced in February that she is considering to run against Barnaby Joyce for the seat of New England - she is "hopeful" this new development bodes well for her council area.
"I know when he held the position before he'd always advocated for our community in the past, and even in the normal back-bencher position he's done great things in our electorate, and look forward to working with him in his new role," Inverell mayor Paul Harmon told the Express
While noting having a federal MP torn between regional affairs and national politics was a "double-edged sword", Cr Harmon was confident that Mr Joyce could "juggle" whatever the Shire needed from him.
Needs stemming from post-drought and post-pandemic problems - as well as funding for Inverell's new pool precinct.
Road to success
"It's really good news that our federal member is again the deputy prime minister," Armidale mayor Ian Tiley stated.
"I've wished him all the very best and look forward to continue working with him as our federal member."
Cr Tiley said it was a "reasonable assumption" that he would be a stronger advocate for issues affecting the local government areas in his electorate, like Tenterfield.
"In my time as mayor, I'm really pleased to be able to say that Barnaby has been an excellent representative of the federal government, and he has delivered a number of grants to the council which have helped us," he said.
Agreeing with the sentiment, Tenterfield mayor Peter Petty said "he'll be a bit busier " in the top seat, but said they'll always be there to support him.
"A fickle game politics," he laughed.
"But from our point of view, Barnaby as our federal member, we wish him well. He'll be a bit busier, but nothing has changed - we'll always be there to support him."
Hopeful for help
Glen Innes mayor Carol Sparks, who announced in February that she is considering to run against Barnaby Joyce for the seat of New England, said this development would "hopefully" help them in their endeavors to work for the Glen community.
"We'll be talking to Barnaby, trying to increase our funding for health professionals in our area," she said, adding that connectivity and blackspots were also hot on their agenda.
"We're trying to get the best for our community. I guess Barnaby being the Deputy Prime Minister will hopefully help us in our endeavors."
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