Grace Dudley, Central Western Daily 6 November 2024

Kate Hook has announced she is contesting the seat of Calare in 2025, revealing Andrew Gee rejected calls for an alliance.

In an exclusive interview, the independent candidate revealed to the ACM her plan for victory and why the Nationals are not "in it for the people".

Ms Hook, who ran in the 2022 election, was initially unsure about re-entering the race this year due to a significant shift in the political landscape.

"We didn't run straight into it ... because we had to weigh up having two independents running. It's not a normal situation," she said.

"But I'm convinced that it is very possible that we could win. It's very uncertain, it's very unusual, but it's very possible."

Ms Hook said she approached independent candidate Andrew Gee to potentially endorse his next campaign, but soon realised that climate action wasn't a priority of his.

"I have great respect for Andrew for going independent ... but I realised in talking to him that he wasn't going to prioritise some of the things that were really important for my supporters last time," Ms Hook said.

This led Ms Hook to enter the race once more, now facing independent Andrew Gee and Nationals candidate Sam Farraway, as the only confirmed candidates for Calare ahead of the 2025 election.

Second shot for the seat 

Last election, Ms Hook entered the race just three months before polling day, knowing a victory was "a long shot".

Despite her short campaign, she was pleased by the results, receiving 20 per cent of the primary vote and 40 per cent after preferences.

"We thought we probably wouldn't win ... but the important thing is that we get people talking about the issues that matter,"' she said.

She learned from last election that a "sophisticated" political campaign requires more than three months. She also learned the people of Calare are "open to a new way of doing politics".

"The last election showed [the electorate] is not as Nationals heavy as we think. They won and that's the reality ... but there is an appetite for independents," Ms Hook said.

"What matters is not what team you're on or what tribe you're in; what matters is what is evidence-based, what's true and what is in the best interest of the community."

Ms Hook expressed concern the coalition is more focused on reclaiming the seat of Calare than addressing the needs of the people.

She referred to a CWD article published in 2023 where Nationals leader David Littleproud said "I want to beat him". Mr Littleproud was referring to his desire to knock-off former Nationals colleague Andrew Gee.

"It doesn't really give us the confidence the National Party is in it for the people of Calare," Ms Hook said.

"That, to me, says the National Party is in it because they want to beat an individual and so I think that was really disheartening."

Backed by facts 

The independent candidate grew up in Wagga Wagga, later moving to Sydney, and then settling in Orange in 2004 with her four children.

With a background in the corporate world and the renewables sector, Ms Hook said her approach to major issues in the Calare region is driven by "evidence-based policy positions".

In regards to the proposed gold mine in Blayney, she's concerned about the health of the Belubula River, describing water as "precious commodity", but admits she needs further consult with the Blayney community.

The independent candidate has requested a meeting with a member of the Belubula Headwaters Protection Group and a representative from the McPhillamys gold mine project.

Similarly, regarding the coalitions' proposed nuclear energy plan, the independent said she's concerned the the joint party has not consulted the right experts.

"Every expert that I have spoken to ... say nuclear power works for some countries, but all of them agree that it's not the right path for Australia," she said.

"If we entered into nuclear behind countries that have had it for decades ... then we're choosing to put ourselves at the back of the pack of an industry, whereas we have the most abundant solar and wind of of any continent on earth."

Original article: https://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/8812939/calare-contest-kate-hook-challenges-nationals-for-2025/