Dignams Creek truffle farmer and small business woman Fiona Kotvojs has been endorsed by the NSW Liberal Party as its candidate in a Bega byelection.
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The official endorsement came on Thursday night, December 16, and relayed to media during a visit to Bega the following morning by Ms Kotvojs, Premier Dominic Perrottet and outgoing Bega MP Andrew Constance.
Dr Kotvojs previously stood for election in the federal seat of Eden-Monaro, narrowly losing the 2019 ballot to Labor's Mike Kelly.
It was another very close contest in 2020 when Labor's Kristy McBain won an Eden-Monaro byelection following the retirement from politics of Mr Kelly for health reasons.
However, Dr Kotvojs said on Friday, December 17, she was committed to her community and felt she would be able to achieve quite a bit if elected to serve as Mr Constance's replacement.
"I am really honoured to be here today - this is my home, it's the place I love," Dr Kotvojs said during Friday's press conference at the newly opened Bega TAFE Multi Skills Trades Hub.
"This is where my heart is. I was born in the Bega Hospital next door.
"This is the community about which I am so passionate. And this is the community I want to see grow into the future.
"I am committed to the local community. I am involved in a number of community groups.
"I am involved and have been for the past 15 years with the Cobargo RFS, in the local Anglican Church, in chambers of commerce in both Narooma and Cobargo.
"People who know me know that I am a person who gets things done."
For his part, Mr Constance gave Dr Kotvojs his own strong endorsement.
"I've know Fiona for years, a local person who knows our region so well.
"Someone who has experience as a candidate and someone who has advocated incredibly strongly for our region.
"I know Fiona is the best person to represent and advocate for this region. Having served for 18 and a half years I know what it takes
"It is with my fullest and strongest endorsement that I support Fiona to be part of Dom Perrottet's team, a Perrottet government."
A byelection for the seat of Bega is expected in February. Labor has previously said it would run a candidate, but acknowledged "it will be almost impossible to win".
Mr Constance is currently awaiting a decision on party preselection for the federal seat of Gilmore, however it's understood there are several Liberal members vying for the endorsement ahead of the 2022 federal election.