FARRER independent Kevin Mack has confirmed he will side with the Coalition in the event of a hung parliament after the election on Saturday.
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But there are strings attached for the support of Mr Mack, who is locked in a fierce battle with Liberal incumbent Sussan Ley.
His backing is contingent on water being made available to southern irrigators, the Murray Darling Basin Plan paused and a Royal Commission into water management.
Mr Mack's comments came as Southern Riverina Irrigators filed a class action in the NSW Supreme Court claiming $750 million damages for the past season in which its members received no irrigation allocations.
"All conditions would have to be met before I consider it, but as a conservative right (candidate) my first option would be supporting the LNP," he said.
"The people of Farrer want change and basically they want to see the plan paused, water returned to irrigators and Royal Commission into the MDBA.
"The issue for me is rumours are circulating I'm supporting Labor and the Greens, but that is not the case. I'm supporting myself as an independent."
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Ms Ley said her Farrer rival was having a bet each-way.
"Kevin now says he is 'declaring his hand' as a 'conservative' but for most of this campaign he's had a foot in the camp of the so called 'climate change' independents.
"Those financing Mr Mack's campaign are suing the MDBA for more irrigation water, yet his other backers want more water for the environment.
"What we actually need is water delivered equally and fairly across communities, farmers and the environment, and this has been my position from day one."
Meanwhile, the TAB has Ms Ley as favourite to retain Farrer which she held on a margin of more than 20 per cent after the 2016 election.
"The trend in recent days in Farrer has been towards the Coalition with Ley firming to a solid $1.55 (in from $1.87) favourite," TAB's Gerard Daffy said.
"Late last month we had the Albury mayor the favourite at a $1.90, but the weight of money has been for the Coalition with bets of $200 and $500 on Monday.
"We did have a $500 bet on Mack during last week."
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