Hello once again to the people of Nicholls, and indeed the supporters who may be watching this message from around Australia and indeed around the world.

We enter this election in a very trying time for our country, the greatest health and economic crisis's our country has seen in our generation. It seems almost surreal to be running an election campaign under such trying circumstances, under such difficult times, with the number of cases mounting, many businesses closing, many Australians losing their jobs, but the health and safety of our citizens is paramount and so we will be running campaign without the same ways, the same techniques that have worked in the past, this election campaign will be the most unique, the most testing of our time.

Before I get into my own campaign launch, my own opening spiel in this campaign. I would like to acknowledge those families who have been affected by this health crisis, those that have contracted this virus, those that have been forced to self isolate because they have been exposed to this virus, those who have been hospitalised as a result of this virus and tragically those who have lost loved ones as a result of this virus.

In my own electorate 139 people are confirmed to have contracted this disease, we are one of the lucky places in terms of hotspots, but that does not mean we can let our guard down. We must continue to listen to the advice of government, we must continue to follow the social distancing guidelines. We must ensure our communities remain safe. But for those who have already been effected, either through contracting this virus, or by the economic factors of the guidelines put in place, we are thinking of you and we are with you.

At the last election. I made a commitment to the people to the people of Nicholls, that I would call for a motion to acknowledge the rural GP crisis that is plaguing not only our electorate, but countless rural communities, countless rural towns, countless tens of thousands of people who to this day, can not see a GP, via telehealth or otherwise in a timely manner. That motion passed unanimously through the house, finally acknowledging that there is a rural GP shortage, that if continued will result in a ever bigger crisis than we are currently seeing.

Our work on that matter is not yet done however, while acknowledgement is the first step, my motion also called for a community commission to be held into the rural GP shortage, to work with GP's, healthcare professionals and rural communities to find solutions into this growing problem. If I once again am lucky enough to gain your trust as the member for Nicholls. I intend to work with whatever government is victorious on Election day to ensure that commission is called during the next term of government, if necessary I will chair that commission myself. This shortage can not be allowed to become a crisis, this pandemic has proven loud and clear that many rural communities can not function with access to a GP and quality health care. We must do something and we can no longer ignore the elephant in the room.

Our rural communities as a result of this of a pandemic are at a standstill. This is not a complaint against the current guidelines, let me make that perfectly clear, nor should it be construed that I claim the people of Nicholls deserve more than other electorates, we have all been effected by this pandemic, this health crisis and this economic crisis. This is simply stating fact.

We need a community guided focus, we need a rural minded focus. we need someone who only has the best interest of the community at heart and who does not care about the party politics that may cloud the vision of standing up for our community. I have never shirked from my duties in my past two terms, Nor do I intend to if I am given the honor of representing the people of Nicholls once again.

In the coming week, while I finish up the final pieces of business in the house I will be connecting with our communities, both officially through live streams on Twitch, Facebook and my own personal campaign website, but unofficially by talking to community leaders, rural business leaders, people who are out there in our communities and know what is needed better than even I could. I will be making sure that our needs are met and protected and I will continue to fight for the people of Nicholls win or lose.

We face one of the most difficult election campaigns in our history but also one of the most important. I truly believe that if this nation gives into fear, gives into isolationism and votes for the National Party and their divisive and threatening policies, that this country will take a dark turn that we may not get out of. That our rural communities will be put on the backburner, or worse, punished for not being of their ideals.

I have noted that the SDP have already chosen a candidate to contest the seat of Nicholls during this election and whilst I have supported them in government during this term. I truly believe they are not the alternative for the people of Nicholls either, whilst some of their policies have helped the people of Nicholls, many have hurt as well, and a party that does not understand the unique rural communities that make up our electorate can never hope to fully represent that electorate.

That is why I have once again chosen to stand, for my jon, out job is not yet over, we still must fix the Rural GP shortage, we still must make improvements to our train system, especially around the Swan Hill line, we must reopen the passenger lines to Mildura,. We must protect and fight for our rural communities to ensure they survive this crisis.

In the coming days I will talk more of what I feel is needed, what I will aiming to achieve should I have the honor to represent the people of Nicholls once again. But make no mistake. I have fought for this electorate for two terms and I still am ready for the fight now. Together we will make it through this, together we will be stronger after this and together we will show the parties that try to ignore us we will be ignored no longer.

I once again turn to you, the people of Nicholls for your trust and your support. Thank you for your time.