Rural and regional issues went to the top of Labors agenda today with the first meeting of the new Country Caucus.

Country Caucus spokesperson and Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Joel Fitzgibbon said the Members of the Country Caucus will ensure the Labor Party maintains a strong focus on issues which affect rural and regional communities.

The Country Caucus will make sure that the Partys policy development processes and our responses to Government proposals are guided by the aspirations, ideals and challenges country Australians face, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

We will also campaign hard in rural and regional Australia, ensuring strong contests in every electorate which can only be a good thing for the bush.

I congratulate Justine Elliot (Richmond) and Lisa Chesters (Bendigo) who were today elected Chair and Secretary of the new Country Caucus.