Newly elected member for Cowper, Kempsey's Patrick Conaghan, was welcomed at the Nationals Party Room in Canberra yesterday.
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While vote counting is continuing, it's expected The Nationals will have five new members in the new term of Government, including four women, following formal declaration of the Federal Election results.
The new members include Patrick Conaghan (Cowper), Dr Anne Webster (Mallee), Perin Davey (New South Wales Senate), Susan McDonald (Queensland Senate) and Dr Sam McMahon (Northern Territory Senate).
At the meeting, Riverina MP Michael McCormack was also returned as Leader of The Nationals and Bridget McKenzie as Deputy Leader.
Mr McCormack said The Nationals had wasted no time returning to work immediately for the people of regional Australia who had endorsed the Liberal and Nationals Government's local plans for job creation and economic growth.
Senator 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 with new Senators and MPs having strong grass roots experience in areas important to regional Australians such as business, agriculture, family farming, water policy and family support, not-for-profit management.