GRANT District Mayor Richard Sage has thrown his hat into the ring to contest next month’s state election as an independent for the seat of Mount Gambier.
Despite months of speculation about a potential candidacy, including questions over whether he would run under the SA-Best banner, Mr Sage has been tight-lipped around a political tilt, nominating just days before yesterday’s deadline.
Mr Sage said his last-minute bid was inspired by a need for change in regional representation in state parliament.
“I’ve been involved with the community in excess of 20 years in local government,” Mr Sage said.
“There has been and there will always be opportunities for people in parliament that have life skills and experience to value-add to the community.
“There are issues out there that aren’t being addressed and it’s an opportunity to better lead our community.”
Mr Sage said he was a strong advocate for the Mount Gambier community as demonstrated by his activism against the forward sale of ForestrySA plantation harvests by the State Government.
“I was one of three mayors who took up the fight with the State Government against the forward sale,” he said.
“We proved as a community we could come together and protest to have our voices heard.”
The well-known mayor contested the federal seat of Barker in the 2013 election, polling 7.2pc against incumbent MP Tony Pasin and Labor’s Phil Golding.
Mr Sage will attempt to follow in the footsteps of former Grant mayors Rory McEwen and Don Pegler, who won seat of Mount Gambier in parliament in 1997 and 2010 respectively.
