James Gooden's Ongoing Priorities for the Riverina

Although the campaign has ended, James Gooden's commitment to practical, community-driven solutions remains unchanged. As an Independent, James continues to advocate for the people of the Riverina — not party agendas or political donors.

This page outlines James's ongoing priorities, shaped by direct conversations across the electorate and grounded in his lived experience as a farmer, local leader, and lifelong Riverina resident.

Independent, Community Leadership

James ran as a truly independent candidate — no party, no political donors, and no backroom deals. That commitment continues.

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

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

  • Every position is guided by 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. He continues to support:

  • Practical cost-of-living relief

  • Local business and regional job growth

  • Lower energy prices, fairer transport costs, and better access to services

  • Affordable housing options tailored to regional communities

Agriculture & Water Security

As a sheep farmer, James understands the value of protecting primary production. He remains committed to:

  • Prioritising water for farmers and rural towns

  • Increasing transparency in water trading and allocation

  • Opposing buybacks that harm agricultural production

  • Defending productive farmland from overdevelopment

Live Export & Rural Industries

James continues to support industries that sustain the bush:

  • Keeping live export open, with high welfare standards

  • Opposing bans that hurt rural jobs and producers

  • Backing evidence-based decisions that support agriculture

  • Defending rural industries essential to prosperity

Health, Aged Care & Local Services

James believes every community deserves equal access to care. He continues to advocate for:

  • Improved hospital funding and rural health incentives

  • Mental health and telehealth services

  • Addressing aged care workforce shortages and funding gaps

  • Local, community-informed service models for smaller towns

Education, Skills & Youth Opportunity

Young people in the Riverina deserve every chance to succeed. James supports:

  • Fairer funding for public schools and teachers

  • Reform of HECS repayment thresholds

  • Expanded TAFE, trade and apprenticeship programs aligned with local industry

  • Better rural school transport and digital access

Climate, Energy & the Environment

James supports a balanced, practical approach to environmental policy:

  • Ensuring the energy transition is well-planned and doesn't harm host communities

  • Opposing large-scale solar/wind projects on productive farmland

  • Supporting exploration of all energy options, including nuclear, for reliable supply

  • Increasing climate resilience in farming and regional areas

On Net Zero & the 2030 Target

James believes the 2030 Net Zero target, in its current form, risks harming regional communities:

  • Solutions must be practical, not ideological

  • Targets should reflect technological readiness and economic realities

  • Farmers and businesses must be supported through transition

"We can't afford climate policy that sounds good on paper but hurts real people on the ground."

Infrastructure & Connectivity

James continues to champion better infrastructure for the region:

  • Support for Wagga Wagga Airport and regional ownership

  • Proper consultation and fair compensation around Inland Rail

  • Undergrounding HumeLink to protect farmland

  • Expanding reliable mobile and internet access across the electorate

Immigration & Community Cohesion

James supports sensible, sustainable immigration that meets Australia's needs:

  • Aligning immigration levels with infrastructure, housing, and job capacity

  • Strengthening visa integrity and contribution standards

  • Ensuring regional migration addresses real workforce needs

  • Respecting Australian values while protecting freedom of belief

Equality, Representation & Families

James stands for a fair go, with policy that reflects real community needs:

  • Equal service access regardless of postcode

  • Support for small business, apprentices, and working families

  • Improved parental support and family law reform

  • Policies that respect all Australians without sowing division

Sustainable Farming & Regenerative Agriculture

Sustainability should work for both farmers and the environment. James supports:

  • Regenerative practices like soil health, water conservation, rotational grazing

  • Incentives, education and research instead of top-down mandates

  • Positioning agriculture as a climate solution, not the problem

  • Smarter land management for long-term food security

Natural Resource Royalties & Regional Investment

James believes the bush should benefit from its resources:

  • A fairer share of mining and energy royalties for regional areas

  • Reinvestment in rural health, education, roads and jobs

  • Ensuring communities aren’t left carrying the burden without reward

Management of Brumby Populations in Kosciuszko National Park

James supports humane, evidence-based management:

  • Respectful and informed control of feral animal populations

  • Humane options like relocation, passive trapping and ground mustering

  • Consultation with landholders, cultural stakeholders and environmental experts

"There’s a better way to manage brumby numbers — one that respects both the environment and the heritage of the High Country."

AUKUS & National Defence

James supports strong defence, with proper oversight:

  • Backing national security that delivers value for money

  • Opposing blank cheques to offshore contractors

  • Focusing defence spending on local jobs and capability

Looking Ahead

James will continue standing up for the Riverina. As always:

  • He will never be bound by donors, lobbyists or party machines

  • His views are shaped by local conversations and community values

  • Integrity, transparency and practical solutions remain at the core of his work

"A vote for James was a vote for an independent voice — and that voice isn't going anywhere."