Ms Penfold’s opportunity comes after the announcement that incumbent MP Dr David Gillespie is retiring from politics having served as the region’s federal representative since 2013.

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Her pre-selection as the Nationals candidate was announced at the Taree Racecourse on Saturday.

The 53-year-old Penfold grew up in Harrington and Hannam Vale and was educated in Taree.

She has been involved with the National Party since her teenage years, volunteering on polling booths in Hannam Vale in the mid to late 1980s.

Penfold has also worked for the Nationals in Canberra, locally for Dr Gillespie, and served as the Chairman of the Lyne Federal Electorate Council.

From 2012 and 2016 she served as the chief executive of the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council, and has worked in the mining, chemical, agriculture and timber industries as a business advisor.

“I am incredibly grateful to the local NSW Nationals members, local people who are community leaders in their own right, for preselecting me as their candidate for Lyne,” Ms Penfold told NOTA.

“Dr Gillespie will leave very big shoes to fill when he hangs up his MP shingle at the next election so it is an honour to have the support of the members to follow in his footsteps.”

Ms Penfold said the “work of Federal Parliament and its impact on everyday Australians” had long been of interest to her.

“I believe it [parliament] can and must do more to make life easier for people and build a stronger nation and I will certainly give it my all in trying.

“It’s tough to see family, friends, neighbours and colleagues and so many local people under so much stress and frustration about the state of our country and the direction it is taking with the cost-of-living crisis.”

Dr Gillespie offered Ms Penfold his “hearty congratulations” for her pre-selection, praising her “broad life experience and deep knowledge of the electorate”.

“Alison’s experience in the corporate agricultural world as well as Federal and State Government roles are a great foundation to becoming a great parliamentarian,” he said.

“The cost of living, aged care, mobile and internet services, community infrastructure, energy and housing and her opposition to the woke culture are high on her agenda.”