Federal Labor candidate for the Riverina, Tim Kurylowicz, braved the chilly winter air as pre-poll opened to local voters at the Parkes Business Enterprise Centre in Currajong Street.
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He was accompanied by the Shadow Minister for Regional Communications and Shadow Assistant Minister for Health Stephen Jones.
Parkes was among six sites across the Riverina that began taking pre-poll votes on Monday.
Mr Kurylowicz and Mr Jones spent their morning greeting and talking with locals at the gate ahead of this Saturday’s 2016 Federal Election.
Mr Kurylowicz was also in town to discuss the future of Medicare and regional health, the National Broadband Network and mobile phone blackspots in the area.
“Tim is pretty passionate about broadband and getting it out here,” Mr Jones said.
Parkes is currently using ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) and Mr Kurylowicz said that their priority is getting a fibre based network.
“There is no NBN rollout in Parkes yet, that’s why it’s such a stark choice,” he said.
“If Labor get in, Parkes will be on track to be among the extra two million Australian premises who will get fibre broadband.
“If the Coalition are elected, it’ll be status quo...the bronze age technology that Malcolm Turnbull has committed to.”
Another issue Mr Kurylowicz is pushing to address is the Medicare rebate.
“[Under the Coalition], people could be paying $20 extra to see a doctor for every visit,” he said.
Mr Jones added “we’re fighting to keep it alive”.
After talking to other locals across the region, the pair headed to Cowra in the afternoon.
