James’s Priorities for the Riverina

James Gooden is committed to delivering practical, community-driven solutions for the Riverina. As an Independent, James is not bound by party politics or donor influence — his only priority is the people of this region.

This page outlines James’s positions on key issues raised by the community, informed by conversations across the electorate and shaped by his lived experience as a farmer, local leader, and lifelong Riverina resident.

Independent, Community-Backed Leadership

James is running as a truly independent candidate — no party, no political donors, and no backroom deals.

✅ Privately funded by James, with support from local volunteers and residents

✅ No affiliations with major parties or political funders like Climate 200

✅ Decisions made in Parliament will reflect the values and needs of the Riverina — not city-based party politics

Cost of Living & Local Economy

James knows that everyday costs are rising, and too many families are doing it tough.

✅ Push for practical cost-of-living relief

✅ Support local business and regional jobs

✅ Advocate for lower energy prices, fairer transport costs, and better access to services

✅ Back affordable housing solutions tailored to regional communities

Agriculture & Water Security

As a sheep farmer, James understands the importance of protecting primary production.

✅ Prioritise water for farmers and regional communities

✅ Increase transparency in water trading and allocation

✅ Oppose buybacks that hurt agricultural production

✅ Defend productive agricultural land from overdevelopment or poor infrastructure planning

Live Export & Rural Industries

James is a strong supporter of live export and other vital rural industries.

✅ Keep live sheep and cattle export open, with high welfare standards

✅ Oppose bans that hurt farmers and regional jobs

✅ Push for evidence-based decisions that support agriculture

✅ Defend industries essential to rural prosperity

Health, Aged Care & Local Services

Regional communities deserve access to the same level of care and support as the cities.

✅ Fight for improved hospital funding and rural health incentives

✅ Support mental health and telehealth services

✅ Address aged care workforce shortages and funding gaps

✅ Back local solutions that strengthen services in smaller towns

Education, Skills & Youth Opportunity

Young people in the Riverina deserve every chance to succeed — locally.

✅ Fairer funding for public schools and teachers

✅ Fix HECS repayment thresholds to ease pressure on graduates

✅ Expand TAFE, trades and apprenticeships linked to local industry needs

✅ Better school transport and digital access for rural students

Climate, Energy & the Environment

James supports a balanced and practical approach that puts regional communities first.

✅ Ensure energy transition is planned and doesn’t disadvantage host communities

✅ Oppose large-scale solar/wind farms on productive farmland

✅ Support exploring all energy options — including nuclear — for secure baseload supply

✅ Increase support for climate resilience in farming and regional areas

On Net Zero & the 2030 Target

James supports taking action to reduce emissions and prepare for a changing climate — but he believes the 2030 Net Zero target is not achievable in its current form. Unrealistic deadlines risk damaging industries, jobs, and regional communities.

✅ Climate policy must be practical, science-based, and not driven by ideology

✅ Targets must reflect technological readiness and economic capacity — especially in the regions

✅ Australia should pursue emissions reduction through innovation, not regulation

✅ Farmers and businesses should be supported, not penalised, in the transition

“We can’t afford climate policy that sounds good on paper but hurts real people on the ground. We need smart, achievable steps that protect both the environment and our economy”

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Better roads, rail, airports, and internet are essential for the region’s growth.

✅ Support upgrades to Wagga Wagga Airport and ensure it stays in regional hands

✅ Push for proper consultation and compensation on Inland Rail

✅ Back undergrounding HumeLink to protect farmland and visual amenity

✅ Fight for reliable mobile and internet access in every corner of the electorate

Immigration & Community Cohesion

James supports immigration settings that meet Australia’s needs — while protecting regional values.

✅ Immigration levels must align with housing, infrastructure, and job capacity

✅ Visa integrity must be improved to support genuine contribution

✅ Regional migration must fill real workforce gaps — not strain services

✅ Migrants must embrace Australian values of fairness, freedom and respect — while being free to practise their own beliefs

Equality, Representation & Families

James believes in a fair go — for every resident in the Riverina.

✅ Equal access to services regardless of postcode

✅ Support for small business, apprentices, and working families

✅ Better parental support and family law reform

✅ Advocate for policies that respect all Australians without dividing communities

Sustainable Farming & Regenerative Agriculture

Sustainable farming must work for farmers and the environment.

✅ Support regenerative agriculture practices like soil improvement, rotational grazing, and water conservation

✅ Advocate for incentives, education, and research — not mandates

✅ Highlight agriculture as part of the climate solution, not the problem

✅ Protect long-term food security through smarter land management

Natural Resource Royalties & Regional Investment

If resources come from the bush, the bush should benefit.

✅ Push for fairer distribution of mining and energy royalties

✅ Ensure reinvestment in regional roads, health, education and jobs

✅ Make sure regional communities don’t carry the burden without reward

Management of Brumby Populations in Kosciuszko National Park

James supports responsible land management, including the need to control feral animal populations to protect fragile alpine ecosystems. However, he believes that any action must be humane, respectful, and based on practical, on-the-ground solutions — not blunt-force measures that cause suffering or outrage communities.

✅ Supports evidence-based approaches that protect both the environment and animal welfare

✅ Advocates for humane management options such as relocation, passive trapping, and ground-based mustering

✅ Emphasises the importance of genuine consultation with local communities, landholders, environmental experts, and cultural stakeholders

“There’s a better way to manage brumby numbers — one that respects both the environment and the heritage of the High Country, without resorting to cruelty or neglect”

AUKUS & National Defence

James supports strong defence — but demands value for money.

✅ Back national security, but not at the cost of transparency or economic waste

✅ Oppose blank cheques for overseas defence contractors

✅ Support defence spending that builds local capability and jobs

James in Parliament

James will always vote with the Riverina — not a party room.

✅ Will negotiate in good faith with all sides in a hung parliament

✅ No deals with donors, lobbyists, or party machines

✅ Decisions based on local input, expert advice, and what’s best for the electorate

Preferences

Preferences are decided by voters, not candidates — and James respects that completely.

✅ Voters choose their own preferences on election day

✅ James will only consider preference recommendations once the full list of candidates is known

✅ He will never do secret deals with parties or political operatives — transparency and integrity come first

“A vote for James is a vote for an independent voice — and your preferences stay in your hands”