Gilgandra journalist and newspaper owner, Lucie Wightman has been preselected by The Nationals to contest the seat of Barwon in the 2027 NSW General Election.
In 2016, at the age of 28, Ms Wightman bought The Gilgandra Weekly newspaper.
She is a Life Member and Immediate Past President of the Country Press Association.
Ms Wightman said she was honoured to have been preselected to contest Barwon for The Nationals.
“As a regional publisher and peak industry advocate, I have spent the past decade giving voice to regional NSW – fighting for our towns, listening to farming families, and holding power to account,” Ms Wightman said.
“Now I have the opportunity to continue that fight in the NSW Parliament.
“The Nationals are the only party solely dedicated to regional Australia, built on a grassroots foundation where local branches drive real policy outcomes.
“I want to stand under this banner to shift Barwon from crossbench isolation back into a position of genuine influence.
“I will deliver the strong, effective representation Western NSW needs.”
Ms Wightman said she had three key priority areas.
“People shouldn’t be penalised because of where they choose to live.
“Regional health and the retention of medical services need to be urgently addressed.
“We need to boost spending on roads and infrastructure, and we need to protect our regional communities.
“The Nationals have a proud history in Barwon, with the seat being held by MPs including former Deputy Premier Wal Murray, and I look forward to continuing that history,” Ms Wightman said.
NSW Nationals’ Leader Gurmesh Singh has welcomed Ms Wightman to The Nationals team.
“It’s great to have Lucie join our team to run for Barwon,” Mr Singh said.
“The biggest electorate in NSW needs someone who will work hard for every community, and I have no doubt Lucie will be that person.
“I’m looking forward to working with Lucie to deliver our Regional Infrastructure Guarantee, our plan for a safer regional NSW, and our plan to ensure people in Barwon can have access to medical services closer to home.”
