The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party says it hasn't yet decided on the final makeup of its preferences, but that it's likely it will prove decisive in the upcoming Eden-Monaro byelection.
SFF leader Robert Borsak was in Cobargo on Monday to announce the party's candidate, Matthew Stadtmiller. The announcement comes months after the devastating bushfires ravaged through the district.
"Farmers and local communities have been let down across this electorate - they've been forgotten by politicians stuck in the Canberra bubble," Mr Stadtmiller said.
"The drought has ravaged the landscape, along with the bushfires. Communities have been left high and dry by the Coalition party.
"Protecting our food security and making sure that those industries that have been hit by the bushfires and now COVID-19 should be the priority for the government in Eden-Monaro.
"We're running because we want to give these communities a choice. A vote for the major parties is a vote for business as usual. Enough is enough, it is time the bush got its fair share.
"We'll show up to fight for this district unlike the Prime Minister who was sipping cocktails in Hawaii while homes and businesses were literally burning to the ground."
Mr Borsak said the SFF candidacy is likely to dictate the outcome of the election given the compulsory preferential voting system in federal elections. However, the SFF is yet to decide on its preference recommendations.
Mr Borsak said the party is in the election to get results.
"We will force the hand of government to get these people back on their feet," Mr Borsak said.
"We have a track record of holding the government to account with five state members in the NSW Parliament.
"Today marks the first of many candidates that we will be running at a federal level, giving local communities in the bush a powerful voice.
READ MORE: Greens announce Cathy Griff as candidate to contest Eden-Monaro byelection
"We are fighting for the forgotten people, while the Liberal Nationals are fighting each other."
The Eden-Monaro byelection will be held on July 4, with a growing list of candidates stepping up.
Labor has preselected Bega Valley councillor Kristy McBain.
The Liberals confirmed 2019 election candidate Fiona Kotvojs as its preferred candidate.
On Monday the Greens announced another Bega Valley Shire councillor, Cathy Griff.
Liberal Democrat Dean McCrae, coordinator of the party's southern districts branch, has also entered the fray, as has independent Andrew Thaler, a solar farm developer from Nimmitabel.
Bredbo businesswoman Karen Porter is also running as an independent under the banner of newly formed group The New Liberals, while Sustainable Australia named Joy Angel.
The Christian Democratic Party has endorsed Cobargo's Narelle Storey as their representative, and deputy leader of the Science Party Dr James Jansson has also made his intention to stand public.
