Former Nationals leader and current Riverina MP Michael McCormack, has returned to the frontbench as Shadow Minister for Water and Veterans’ Affairs, playing a key role in the Farrer by-election.
McCormack, of Hellenic descent, brings expertise on major agricultural water issues in the electorate.
He previously held multiple portfolios in the Coalition government and served as deputy prime minister from 2018 to 2021, until Barnaby Joyce replaced him in a leadership spill orchestrated by Matt Canavan.
Current Nationals leader Mr Canavan described the Nationals’ shadow ministerial team as one of the most experienced, with 18 years of combined ministerial experience.
Commenting on McCormack’s return, Canavan said, “Michael knows the Murray Darling Basin having travelled the length and breadth of it in previous ministerial capacities and representing irrigation areas as a local member. Labor has ignored the benefits of dams and Michael will put them back on the agenda.”
Source: The Conversation
