By MATT NICHOLLS
ADAM Marshall is almost at the halfway mark between being elected and running for re-election.
The Northern Tablelands MP is tipped by most to hold his position with ease at next year’s state election in March, but Mr Marshall said he wasn’t taking anything for granted.
“I won a by-election last year and although I was humbled by the support I received, I won’t be resting on my laurels,” he said.
“The make-up of the electorate will change significantly at the next election, too.”
Mr Marshall was referring to the boundary change which alters the demographic of the Northern Tablelands.
“I lose Walcha and Tenterfield and pick up Moree,” he said.
“So in the next 11 months I have to still service those two towns and try and build a presence in Moree.”
Mr Marshall said the Northern Tablelands would no longer be a name that represented the seat, but the title would remain from 2015 onwards.
“Moree really doesn’t have anything to do with the Northern Tablelands,” he said.
“I did ask them consider changing the name – perhaps to Gwydir because of the highway and the river which runs throughout most of the electorate – but they decided to stick with Northern Tablelands in at least the short-term.”
Moree becomes the third biggest town in the electorate, behind Armidale and Inverell and Mr Marshall said he was looking forward to the challenge for representing a new community.
“The travel factor shouldn’t be too much of a burden because Moree has an airport,” the MP said.
“I go to Sydney so often that I can fly out of Armidale and fly back to Moree.
“Unfortunately state MPs only get one office, but I am prepared for the travel.”
Mr Marshall said his office would remain in Armidale if he was re-elected next year.
