Mr Kidd said he firmly believes his electorate has been taken for granted for the past 33 years by the Nationals. 

Talking with NSW Deputy Opposition Leader at his official campaign launch, Mr Kidd was steadfast in his belief he can win the upcoming by-election. 

Deputy Leader Opposition Leader Michael Daly said Labor was confident in its candidate’s ability to secure a traditionally safe National seat. 

“We are not here to come second or third in this by-election,” Mr Daly said.

“We’re here to win it. 

“(Michael) knows the issues that face the people in this area and he knows firsthand that the Nationals do not deserve to be re-elected.”

Mr Kidd has been busy hitting the pavements since he was announced as Labor’s candidate last Friday. 

He was joined by Mr Daly in Leeton on Monday, with the pair drumming up support during their time in town.

With lhealth a community concern, Mr Kidd said he supported an independent inquiry into the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD). 

“A properly constructed independent inquiry is a great idea ...” he said.

“The health service is really struggling under a lack of funding. We shouldn’t be cutting back. We should be looking at the critical care areas.”

He said regional health was underfunded and inaccessible. 

“If you look across the state, you’ll find people in country areas actually have more health issues,” Mr Kidd said. 

“Rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke, cancers, they’re all higher in regional areas and yet we have to drive hundreds of kilometres to get to often basic services.” 

Mr Kidd has lived and worked in Leeton for the past 35 years and has served on Leeton Shire Council both in the past and at the present time. 

He also cited jobs and TAFE cuts as top priorities.

“We’re not happy about the state of healthcare,” Mr Kidd said. “We’re not happy about the constant shuffles of TAFE and the loss of opportunity for our kids. 

“We want to have jobs. We want to have a future.”

Both Mr Kidd and Mr Daly refused to divulge the way Labor would preference the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, but drew back to the Nationals’ loss at the Orange by-election. 

“The National Party lost the seat of Orange after Labor and the Shooters swapped preferences,” Mr Daly said. 

“The National Party lost a safe seat. You can’t lose a safe seat if you’re looking after it.”

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