Mr Barilaro made the announcement last week even though his party has not officially called for candidates and the State election is not scheduled until 2011.

The businessman embraced the early bird catches the worm philosophy by putting his hand up and hopes other potential candidates will do the same.

“I would like to see an early pre-selection so that we can talk to people in the community and find out what the issues are,” he said.

Mr Barilaro has a keen interest in small business and said this should help him relate to farmers on the Monaro, while the experience with

council would assist him develop a

close relationship with local government in the area.

“It was a humbling result to be voted onto council last year, I feel that this is the next step for me,” he said.

“I have a timber manufacturing business and although I was born and raised in Queanbeyan I feel I have a lot to offer farmers on the Monaro, after all farms are businesses too.”

State director of NSW National Party Ben Franklin said that although the party has not officially called for candidates for pre-selection a number of potential candidates have expressed interest in the region.

“I expect nominations will open at some stage, probably in the latter half of this year or early next year,” Mr Franklin said.

“I’ve had conversations with a number of different people in Monaro who have expressed interest and are looking at putting themselves forward.”

Mr Franklin said the successful candidate would need to have a sound solution to the health crisis.

“Around the state it’s health, health, health all the way,” he said.

“But the message for people out there is that if you want to change the government you have to start at a local level.”