LIBERAL candidate for Eden Monaro Peter Hendy believes he has enough experience in both the public and private sector to take over the bellwether seat.
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Mr Hendy has worked as the chief of staff for Julie Bishop and worked for former Howard Government ministers Peter Reith and Brendan Nelson.
Mr Hendy said he is best well known for his time as the chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"I was at the Australia Chamber of Commerce and Industry for quite a number of years, it's the peak business body in Australia with 300,000 members,"he said.
"I've done a lot in my life to date and I've thrown my hat in the ring because I believe I have a lot of experience, experience that would put me in good stead to represent the people in this region.
"If the people of Eden Monaro want a change of government they need to throw out the Labor Party. I'm not personally criticising Mike Kelly, my problem with Mike is that he's a representative the Labor Party and what it stands for."
Mr Hendy said with his background in finance - he has worked as an economist for the federal Treasury and the NSW Government - one of the first things he hoped to get into order was the budget which he said was currently a "shambles" under the Labor party.
"Having worked in the treasury I know the impact of a strong budget, it's central to everything, business confidence will stall if the federal government is not in control of finances, it's a key thing," he said.
Locals may have seen Mr Hendy around as he has been out and about campaigning during the summer show season.Just last weekend he attended the Queanbeyan Relay for Life and his group, "Team Hendy" were the third largest fundraisers with $7105 banked.
Mr Hendy said a recurring concern with voters was the rising cost of living and in rural areas they were worried about weed control and roads.
"What people raise with me is not just limited to things in Queanbeyan, there's are items on the national agenda like electricity prices and border protection, health services, roads, aged and child care," he said.
Mr Hendy has lived in Queanbeyan with his wife, Bronwyn and two children for the past 12 years.