New Member for Mallee Anne Webster was welcomed into the Nationals' Party room in Canberra on Thursday.
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She is one of five new members and one of four new women representing the party in Canberra. At last Saturday's Federal Election, the party is expected to retain all 16 of its lower house seats.
The other four new members are Perin Davey (New South Wales Senate), Susan McDonald (Queensland Senate), Dr Sam McMahon (Northern Territory Senate) and Pat Conaghan in the lower house seat Cowper on the NSW mid north coast.
At the meeting, Riverina MP Michael McCormack was also returned as Leader of The Nationals and Bridget McKenzie as Deputy Leader.
Ms McKenzie said she was excited with the party's growth in female representation and especially pleased this increase has been delivered through a merit-based process.
"This is a team whose heart is in the regions and who remain determined to deliver on the faith placed in us by regional Australia," she said.
While vote counting is continuing, it is expected the Nationals will hold Mallee comfortably despite there being a 26 per cent swing against the party on primary votes.
Dr Webster was one of 13 people contesting the seat at the election, the most candidates of any seat in Australia.
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
