NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton has left the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party after ‘‘untenable’’ disagreements between herself and the party.
The SFF made the announcement in a statement at 4.30pm today, saying Mrs Dalton agreed to resign from the party and sit in parliament as an independent MP.
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Mrs Dalton won the seat off the National Party of Australia in 2019.
Murray had formerly been a safe Coalition seat until Mrs Dalton campaigned on the issue of water management.
The party pointed to some of Mrs Dalton’s recent actions as a reason for parting ways, saying it was contrary to ‘‘what the SFF stands for and what we promised to do for the people of Murray’’.
‘‘We wish Helen the best in her career in politics without the party,’’ party leader Robert Borsak MLC, said.
‘‘We invested a significant amount of resources and trust in winning the seat off the Nationals, so it is a shame it has ended this way.’’
Mr Borsak said SFF will again contest the seat of Murray in 2023 with a new candidate.
The party has also committed to continue to run a select committee into the water trading inquiry and ‘‘will re-run the Water Register Bill and negotiate its carriage in the lower house with the government’’.
The Pastoral Times is yet to speak with Mrs Dalton about this afternoon’s announcement.
