Federal Director of The Nationals
03-February-2012
Federal President of The Nationals, John Tanner, has announced that Scott Mitchell has been appointed Federal Director of The Nationals.
Mr Mitchell is currently Chief of Staff to the Hon Terry Redman MLA, Western Australian Minister for Agriculture and Food, Forestry and Corrective Services.
He will replace Brad Henderson, who will stand down from the role in March. Mr Henderson and his family are returning home to Queensland, where he will take up the position of State Director of the Liberal National Party (LNP) after the state election.
Mr Mitchell has previously served as a senior trade and policy adviser to the National Farmers Federation and former Nationals Leader Mark Vaile.
He has a long history as a respected political and campaign adviser to The Nationals at state and federal level and was Federal President of the Young Nationals from 1999 to 2001.
“Mr Mitchell brings a high-level policy mind to this position and strong advocacy skills, honed on the domestic and international stage. He is a seasoned political campaigner with a deep understanding of regional Australia, Mr Tanner said.
“He has worked and campaigned with The Nationals across states and on both sides of the continent and his appointment will provide a seamless transition for the party as we finalise our preparations for the coming federal election.”
Mr Henderson has served as Federal Director since 2007. During this time he led a nation-wide renewal of the party’s brand, the development of a national marketing campaign and new policy platform, and the introduction of new public and corporate engagement strategies.
He was the party’s Campaign Director for the 2007 federal election and in 2010, where The Nationals secured one of their best federal election results in decades.
“The Nationals have enjoyed a near nation-wide resurgence. We have exciting plans for the future of regional Australia and we are looking forward to the next federal election,” Mr Tanner said.
“I’m delighted with the appointment of Mr Mitchell and confident he will lead a successful campaign that will contribute to a desperately-needed change of government and deliver more Nationals and a stronger voice for regional Australia in federal Parliament.”
Federal Leader of The Nationals Warren Truss paid tribute to Mr Henderson while welcoming Mr Mitchell’s appointment.
“The parliamentary team has enjoyed working with Mr Henderson and appreciates the outstanding job he has done in enhancing the professionalism and capabilities of the Secretariat. We all wish him well in his new appointment,” he said.
“Equally, we’re looking forward to welcoming Mr Mitchell on board and working with him to maintain an effective Secretariat and an election-winning team.”