The race for Lismore is heating up. Local small business owner Dylan Butcher has announced he will seek Nationals preselection for the state seat at the 2027 NSW election.
Mr Butcher said the decision had not been taken lightly, but came from growing frustration with the direction of Labor governments in Sydney and Canberra.
“This is home,” Mr Butcher said.
“I was born here, went to school here, I’ve worked and volunteered here, and today I’m building my own business and my future here.”
Mr Butcher runs a Northern Rivers media and communications business that works with local businesses, events, and community organisations. He is also involved with local business and community groups.
He said those connections meant he was constantly hearing about the pressure people across the region were under.
“People are working hard, but too many feel like they’re going backwards.”
“Families are struggling with the cost of living, local businesses are being squeezed by rising costs, buying a home is getting further out of reach for my generation, and our flood recovery still has a long way to go.”
He took aim at decision-making in the state capital.
“Too often it feels like decisions are being made in Sydney by people who simply don’t understand how regional communities live and work,” Mr Butcher said.
“Whether it’s regional infrastructure being pushed down the list, small businesses struggling with rising costs, or law-abiding farmers and firearms owners being targeted by Labor’s new gun laws, regional people are too often treated as an afterthought.”
Mr Butcher said he had eventually grown tired of complaining.
“You can keep complaining from the sidelines, or you can put your hand up and have a go.”
He said running his own business had given him a different view of the people who create jobs across the region.
“Small businesses aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet,” he said.
“They’re our employers, our main streets, the people sponsoring our sporting clubs and the people who put their hands in their pockets when the community needs help.”
Mr Butcher said he wanted better roads and infrastructure, stronger local services, support for small business, and a fair share of investment for the region.
“We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking for our fair share,” he said.
He will spend the coming weeks speaking with Nationals members across the electorate ahead of the party’s preselection.
“I know what good representation looks like. You’ve got to turn up, listen and fight for your community,” Mr Butcher said.
“I’m ready to work. I’m ready to listen. And I’m ready to fight like hell for this region.”
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