Peter Andren

Peter Andren was born in Gulargambone, New South Wales, and attended Normanhurst Boys High School[1][citation needed] and Macquarie University, Sydney.

He was not only displeased with the quality of candidates in the field to succeed longtime Labor incumbent David Simmons, but felt that rural Australia was losing its voice in Canberra.

However, owing partly to his name recognition (Prime's service area covered most of the electorate), Andren won the seat after Labor's preferences flowed overwhelmingly to him, taking 63 percent of the two-candidate vote.

Andren was known to join with the other two rural independent members, Bob Katter and Tony Windsor, in raising regional issues with the Parliament and media.

He died less than three weeks later, on 3 November, survived by his partner Valerie Faber, his two sons Greg and Josh and his ex-wife Jenny Price.