NSW Farmers’ campaign ‘StandUpForFarmers’ launched just 7 days ago has already attracted more than 15,000 online visits with all MPs rated by more than 1500 users.
The campaign’s ‘rate the pollie’ tool, which gives a voice to regional and rural voters across NSW ahead of the upcoming state election, has generated the most visits with more than 3000 views.
NSW Farmers’ CEO Matt Brand said that the level of interest in the campaign had taken the association by surprise.
“We are well connected to our members and communities in the bush and while they make an enormous contribution to our state, they often feel it is not recognised in Sydney or in Macquarie Street when it comes to the big policy decisions.
“Our campaign has tapped into that feeling and brought people together to stand up, unite and have conversations and connect in a new way for agriculture across a range of digital platforms.
“StandUpForFarmers has certainly mobilised people across the state to ‘stand up, shout out and be heard’ ahead of this state election,” said Mr Brand.
To date more than 75 percent of the interest in NSW Farmers’ online campaign is from NSW, with 12 percent from Victoria, 6 percent from Queensland, 3 percent from the ACT, 2 percent from SA and less than 1 percent from other states and territories.
Mr Brand said the bush’s economic interests, local infrastructure and community needs all deserve focused investment.The website www.standupforfarmers.com.au enables users to rate an MP, give them a score out of 10 and share their ratings across social media platforms including Twitter and Facebook in the lead-up to the 28 March state election.
Voters also get the chance to meet local candidates at a series of town hall style meetings, with two this week in Griffith and Orange and others coming up in Inverell, Lismore, Cooma, Cootamundra, Moree and Walgett.
In addition, the online campaign has a supporter wall where users can post their photographs up on issues pertinent to their particular community.
Mr Brand said the more people who joined the campaign and rated a politician, the more influence country NSW would have in the election.
“This campaign puts all sitting MPs and candidates on notice: country NSW will not be overlooked,” Mr Brand said.
StandupForFarmers is powered by NSW Farmers, a membership-based organisation that advocates on behalf of farmers in NSW and ACT. The association is not aligned to any candidate or political party. Election day is Saturday 28 March 2015. You can learn more about the campaign by visiting www.standupforfarmers.com.au Follow us at #standup4farmers
CONTACT
For more information contact Veneta Chapple at 0429 990 218 or news@standupforfarmers.com.au
