Irrigator will run as independent candidate in Barker
Barmera’s Ian Penno plans to bring strong community representation as an independent candidate at the 2025 federal election – here’s why.
This sponsored story is brought to you by Ian Penno, Independent for Barker.
Barmera’s Ian Penno plans to bring strong community representation as an independent candidate at the 2025 federal election.
For too long, he says, the electorate of Barker has been taken for granted by its city-centric, party policy-controlled representatives.
“Politicians should be a representative of their community, not a party puppet,” he says.
“Community window dressing with a few fancy facilities, even though much appreciated, is not the incentive or initiative we need to build strong, vibrant communities.”
Barker’s communities have bigger needs:
- Affordable, reliable energy: Gas should be our focus while we wait for better nuclear or renewable technology, and prices need to come down
- Better water management: A Reserve Bank-style organisation should be formed to take control of the Murray-Darling Basin and end fighting between states, irrigators and environmentalists
- Industrial relations laws: Businesses need less red tape, and “the enthusiastic, energetic and ambitious” deserve to be rewarded
- The city-country divide: Stronger representation for agricultural areas
- National unity
- Multi-peril insurance: Farmers should be covered during disasters
“You need strong, vibrant communities,” he says.
“That’s where we’re falling down: we’re having trouble getting footy teams on our grounds because the younger generation aren’t hanging around.
“I’m about building community.”
Ian’s career has included successes with a business which he helped grow into a major citrus-producing enterprise, then with his own cropping concern and irrigation business.
He was a founding member of the Think Water – Beyond Irrigation group.
He is no stranger to civic duties, either, having served 12 years as chairman of the Barmera community centre, eight as a Barmera and then Berri Barmera councillor, and four on local health boards.
Ian’s serious foray into politics very quickly indicated that party politics – being controlled by a hierarchy that dictated what was to be said and done, and was not representing the community – was not what the electorate of Barker required.
He is determined to make an impact at this election.
“If I don’t make any noise and have a go, I’ll never know,” he says.
“I don’t want to die wondering.”
He hopes to make more connections in the Murraylands between now and polling day, which due in May.
“I want to spend some time down there and get to know a few people,” he says.
“After all, (my campaign) is not about what I want – it’s about what the community wants.”
Authorised by Ian Penno, Independent for Barker, 12 St Andrews Street, Walkerville SA 5081.
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Peri Strathearn
