A THIRD-generation local, the Member for Coffs Harbour and newly elected leader of the NSW Nationals, Gurmesh Singh, grew up in a Woolgoolga farming family of Indian heritage.
Life in the family and community revolved around agriculture – first bananas then macadamias, and later berries.
During that time and through his teens, Mr Singh wasn’t all that fussed about farming life and didn’t see it as his future.
“I finished high school in 2000 and there were no opportunities here for me, so I had to leave and go to Sydney,” he said.
After completing a degree in Industrial Design, he settled in Sydney for some years, working successfully in various roles in design and marketing, including a stint in Qantas.
He eventually accepted a job offer back in the Coffs region, doing similar work.
Then, due to a need in the family, and “a little bit of an interest” he decided to give farming a go.
“Initially it was a mid-career break that turned out to be much more.”
Mr Singh took to farming life more enthusiastically than before, but the broader issues impacting farming in the region piqued his interest.
He had become politically aware during his university days, but hadn’t yet made up his mind where he stood on the political spectrum.
“I don’t think I was conservative in my uni years,” he said.
“That was shaped when I started life as a working adult, paying more attention to the economy and how it appeared to operate.
“I was Chair of the Oz Group Co-op and Vice-President of the berry association, and that exposed me to government policies, compliance, advocacy, etc.”
It was during this time he came to the conclusion that a conservative approach was preferable for solid economic outcomes, so he became a member of the National Party.
“I always aligned with the Nationals values.”
Mr Singh never gave any thought to entering party politics until former member for Coffs Harbour, Andrew Fraser, announced his retirement and encouraged him to consider standing in the vacated seat.
“I sat down with Andrew to pick his brains and find out what it really meant,” he said.
“He explained the job is about helping the community.
“I’d always been community minded, but I also saw there were some strong policy issues that I could make a contribution to.”
While it was ostensibly the economic platform that attracted him to the National Party, Mr Singh explained that in other areas, especially social issues, the Nationals are often on the progressive side of politics.
He credits this to the fact most National candidates come from “the real world” rather than working their way through the political machine.
“Very few of us held any political positions – such as working in ministerial offices. And we are not necessarily driven by, or locked into, a narrow political ideology.
“We discuss things. And we all want similar things for our region.”
Despite his new leadership role, Mr Singh intends to remain approachable.
He is known for being involved in community groups and also frequenting local coffee shops where people can approach him for a chat.
There is no doubt that he is personable and grounded.
His values-driven approach to politics underpins all he does, giving him a genuineness that people respond to.
His supporters would say he is not your typical pollie.
Mr Singh recently gained widespread admiration from all sides when he spoke in Parliament about racism in Australia – the first time he has raised this issue publicly.
He was compelled to do this by a few factors, including an increase in the number of race-related incidents towards Indian-Australians, and nationwide anti-migration marches.
But it was natter by his opposition colleagues that spurred him to speak out.
“I got this feedback that the left side of politics was saying, ‘he’s only going to look after his Indian mates’.
“That’s not who I am.
“It’s quite insulting because I’ve never seen myself as anything but Australian – I‘ve never even supported India in cricket!” Bearing testimony to this, a cherished baggy green sits proudly in his office – a souvenir of the traditional Pollies vs Press charity match in 2023 (the pollies won).
“My job is to represent all Australians – whether they’ve been here 100 years or a month.
“That’s why I’ve never sought to bring attention to my Indian ethnicity.”
Nonetheless, he admits there is pride across the Australian Indian diaspora at his success.
“In effect, a glass ceiling has been broken,” he said, explaining that while Indians in Australia have done well in other fields such as engineering, law, medicine and agriculture, they haven’t yet broken through the political space in a huge way.
At 42, Mr Singh also brings a generational shift to his role.
“I’m the youngest in the NSW National party room,” he said, noting that he is the youngest NSW Nationals leader since 1922 when Sir Michael Bruxner assumed the role at age 40.
As leader of the NSW Nationals, he says he’s now in a stronger position to influence the policies that will guide the opposition to the next election.
He insists that Coffs Harbour should be one of the premier cities in NSW and will be driving this in the next 18 months or so, to the election and beyond.
“I want to make sure that our kids in Coffs have a choice whether they want to stay or leave.
“That means we need to have an economically thriving Coffs Coast.”
By Leigh WATSON
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