THE pool of candidates vying for the federal seat of Barker continues to grow with Mannum resident and former SA-Best hopeful Kelly Gladigau entering the contest under the Centre Alliance banner.
The registered nurse is the third candidate to enter the political race, taking on sitting Liberal MP Tony Pasin and Greens candidate Rose Merlino.
Ms Gladigau, who contested the rural seat of Hammond at this year’s state election, said she was “delighted to be given the opportunity to work with the party that gives South Australians a voice and a party that puts people first”.
At the 2018 state election, Ms Gladigau gained 22.7pc of the primary vote in Hammond, which encompasses Murray Bridge, Mannum and Pinnaroo and gained more than one-third of the vote on a two-candidate preferred basis.
However, Liberal incumbent Adrian Pederick easily retained the seat with 52pc of the primary vote despite a 5.1pc swing against the sitting member.
“Since running as a candidate in the recent state election, I have continued to advocate for people and business throughout the electorate and I now look forward to running a strong campaign to represent the Barker electorate on a federal level,” she said.
The federal party, which changed its name from Nick Xenophon Team to Centre Alliance earlier this year, will seek to capitalise on gains made in the 2016 election.
Nick Xenophon Team candidate and Langhorne Creek resident James Stacey inflicted an 11.8pc swing against Mr Pasin after claiming almost 30pc of the primary vote.
“James Stacey did a marvelous effort with the federal election and I think it goes to show people want the alternative to the two major parties,” she said.
“That is what appeals to me about Centre Alliance.
“It is about delivering what you promised.”
The farmer highlighted health and agriculture as her focal points for the rural electorate.
“I live and breathe health and agriculture and am fiercely passionate about them both,” Ms Gladigau said.
“I was very vocal about aged care reform during the state election.
“Barker is a massive electorate and even though it is diverse, I think a lot of concerns comes down to health.
“Another big issue is mental health, unemployment and transport.
“We need more money to come down federally for transport.
“People are not going to come to areas where there is no health care, unaffordable housing and limited transport.”
Ms Gladigau is also seeking election to the Mid Murray Council, where she is one of four candidates vying for two Murray Ward vacancies.
She denied the tilt at local government would hamper the effectiveness of her federal election campaign.
“If anything, it is going to be of benefit to the campaign because I will listen to more people to what they want,” she said.
“I always stand up for what I believe in and back the underdog.
“I am very vocal locally with the ratepayers action group and have advocated strongly for many years.”
Ms Gladigau, who is described as the “instigator/manager” of a Facebook group, recently came under fire from the Mid Murray Council for its “inappropriate” and “malicious” posts.
At the August meeting, elected members resolved to seek a public apology from Ms Gladigau after a “misleading” post involving a councillor’s travel expenses.
The SA-Best candidate also raised eyebrows during the lead up to the election following a funding promise of $50,000 to her husband’s cricket club.
An incident involving placing a cut-out of Mr Pederick’s face on a turtle’s shell and an offensive Facebook post from her and her husband’s joint personal account also marred her South Australian tilt.
Her campaign will be officially launched at a community meeting in Murray Bridge this week.
The federal election is expected to be held next year.
