With August 21 just three weeks away, candidates for the federal seat of the Riverina have hit the ground running in their campaign to lead the electorate.

Two of the eight candidates who have already hit the streets of Junee are Independent candidate Matthew Hogg and The Nationals Michael McCormack, who say they are committed to assisting the shire.

Meeting with mayor Lola Cummins and deputy mayor Norm Bray recently, Mr Hogg said a major issue of concern was employment, with fears freight company Pacific National could still close the Junee depot in the future.

He said inland rail infrastructure was important, not only for Junee, but the Riverina due to the possilbe flow-on effect on the economy a closure would have.

Committed to seeing more jobs created across the region, Mr Hogg said he was keen to see proposals such as the $200 million Marinna Ethanol plant go ahead in the hope it would have a positive effect on Junee and the Riverina.

He said he had initiated talks with the company over the project.

While he has no real ties to Junee apart from his clients, and being a fan of the Chocolate and Licorice Factory, the barrister said smaller towns made the Riverina what it is.

“There is a role for regional centres but my view is that it shouldn’t come at the cost of smaller regional towns,” he said.

“They are a part of our culture.”

The Nationals candidate for the seat of Riverina, Michael McCormack, has also been busily taking to the streets of Junee, talking to local business operators.

With his father hailing from Junee and he himself a former footballer for the Junee under 14s and 15s, he said it was a town he helds dearly.

“Junee is a very important town for us,” he said. “I’d like to think I will win the Junee booths.